11 Things You Should Know If You're Composting For The First Time

Composting is a great way to reduce your food waste and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.

But what sort of foods can you compost and how do you get started?

Well, have no fear Ubuntu Bali is here. Here are 11 things you should know if you're new to composting:

You can compost in a bin, barrel, or even just an open pile

Composting is one of the easiest ways to get more use out of your waste. It can also be a fun and rewarding hobby, especially for those who love to garden but don't want to deal with plants that need constant care.

The best way to get started is by using one of three methods. The first is by using a compost bin or barrel. The second method is an open pile made up of layers and turned periodically. The third method involves building a bin out of wood and turning it regularly for optimal results.

More yard waste and less food waste

Composting is as much about science as it is about willpower. And one of the most important things to know is that if you want to keep your compost pile balanced, you should aim for a ratio of 25 parts brown matter (yard waste) to 1 part green matter (food scraps).

This might be a bit confusing at first—why would anyone want more yard waste than food waste? It all comes down to bacteria and the kind of decomposition process that occurs in each type.

Don't forget the plant matter that goes into your compost pile

Plant matter includes leaves, grass, weeds and twigs. These are all carbon-rich materials that help balance out the nitrogen found in food scraps by adding air circulation and moisture to your compost pile. The more plant material you have in your pile, the faster it will break down!

Too much or too little can make a big difference in your results and what you end up with at the end of it all—if you put too much in one time (or even over time), it could make an unpleasant smell or slow things down because there isn’t enough oxygen around; if there is too little extra material added to feed the microbes that do most of the work during decomposition, then those microbes will be unable to finish their job.

The more ventilation the better

You need ventilation to get your compost pile going. The more air flow, the better—it helps keep the pile from getting too hot and lets oxygen do its job breaking down organic material into for your garden.

How can you get more ventilation? Well, it depends on what kind of bin you use.

If your bin has holes in it already: You're good! But if not, then hopefully it's made of wood so that making holes will be easy.

If not, look around the house and see where there are things like cardboard boxes or storage tubs lying around that could be used as compost bins temporarily while you make holes in them with a hammer and chisel (or even just scissors).

Then line them with plastic bags before adding food waste again so nothing spills out onto the ground during transport.

You'll want two buckets at least--one for fresh food waste collection and one for finished compost harvest--but three would be optimal since separating materials into their respective buckets makes life easier when mixing different batches together later down the road.

And don't forget about drainage holes; these allow excess moisture from liquids such as urine or coffee grounds leaching through paper towels.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty

If you've never composted before, you may be wondering what to expect. It's not rocket science, but it does require a little bit of work. The best way to learn is by doing it yourself.

You don't need much in the way of tools or equipment; most people start out with a plastic bin and some newspaper or cardboard that they can add on top until the contents are ready for use in their garden.

If there's room, adding some worms would be helpful—they'll help break down food scraps even faster!

Don't let your compost pile dry out

You've got to keep your compost pile moist. The right amount of moisture is key for good composting, which means you should be looking out for signs that the pile is too wet or too dry.

If it's too wet, add some dry leaves or straw to bulk up the pile and prevent it from getting waterlogged. On the other hand, if your pile is drying out and becoming hard to manage, add more water—just enough so that everything is soaked but not sitting in standing water.

You don't need a lot of space for composting

Composting does not take up a lot of space, and it's possible to do in an apartment balcony or courtyard, for example.

There are many ways to compost, from worm beds that can be kept indoors to community gardens where you share the work with fellow gardeners.

Composting is best done in layers

Composting is best done in layers, with browns on the bottom and greens on top. The idea is to alternate layers of brown material (dry, carbon-rich materials) with green material (moist, nitrogen-rich materials).

This ensures that you're providing enough oxygen to your pile and creating the optimal conditions for decomposition.

Animal poop for beginners is not recommended

When it comes to composting, you can't just throw any old thing into your bin and expect a successful outcome. There are some materials that should be avoided at first, especially if you're a beginner.

Animal poop is technically compostable but should be avoided for beginner composters because it can attract pests.

If you have pets in your home, consider finding another way to dispose of the waste besides adding it to your compost pile.

Composting is a natural process so no need for fancy equipment

Okay, maybe you'll be tempted to buy one of those fancy compost bins with a lid and holes. But they're not necessary.

You can compost in almost any kind of container or bin—even just in a pile! Just make sure it's big enough to hold all your kitchen scraps and that it has adequate drainage so the rotting food doesn't get waterlogged (if you use plastic, drill holes in it; if not, consider adding some later).

You might even want to start out with something simple like a garbage can or wire mesh bin until you get the hang of things.

Keep checking on your compost pile every few weeks

You can't just let your compost pile sit there and rot. You have to add more material each time you turn it, or the process will take much longer.

If your pile isn't breaking down quickly enough, consider adding worms to help speed up the process. Worms eat through organic matter and then poop out nutrient-rich soil that will improve your garden soil.

If you don't want to add worms every few weeks, consider adding a little bit of water if your pile is drying out too much.

Composting takes patience

If you're thinking of composting, keep in mind that it's not a quick process. You will have to wait a while to actually use it—it can take several months to a year for the composting process to complete, depending on how much you put into your bin and what type of material is in your pile. Composting is a slow-moving process.