A simple guide for families
Composting is a great way to reduce waste and help your garden grow! Here’s how you can turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, nutrient-packed compost that your garden will love!

You Will Need:
 - Compost bin with a lid (An old recycling box works great!)
 - A well-drained, easy-to-access spot (A clear spot in your garden is ideal.)
 - Green compostable ingredients (Examples: vegetable and fruit peelings, tea bags, grass
   clippings and even used coffee grounds)
 - Brown materials (Examples: dry leaves, straw, shredded paper, soft prunings)
 - A gardening fork

Steps to Make Compost:

1. Prepare the Bin
If your compost bin doesn’t have holes in the base, carefully make a few to allow worms to get in. Place your bin on bare soil to encourage critters to help break down the compost.

2. Layer Your Ingredients
Start by adding a mix of green materials (such as fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, or grass clippings) and brown materials (like dry leaves, shredded paper, or straw). Aim for a balanced ratio—about 2 parts brown to 1 part green.

3. Mix It Up
Use your gardening fork to mix the compost ingredients together. This helps air get in and speeds up the process. Ideally, turn the compost once a month.

4. Keep Turning and Adding
The more you mix the compost, the faster it will break down. You can keep adding new kitchen scraps or garden waste over time, but make sure to keep the balance of green and brown materials.

5. Wait for the Magic
Composting can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the size and conditions of your pile. When it’s ready, the compost should look dark, crumbly, and smell earthy.

Why Compost?

Reduce Waste: Instead of sending food scraps and garden waste to the landfill, you’re turning them into something useful for your garden.
Help the Environment: Composting helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health.
Boost Your Garden: Compost is full of nutrients that plants love, making your garden healthier and more vibrant.

Tips for Success:

Balance is Key: Aim for a balance of green and brown materials to avoid a smelly pile.
Stay Moist: Compost needs to be moist but not too wet—like a wrung-out sponge.
Patience Pays Off: Don’t rush! Great compost takes time, but it’s worth the wait.