Composting from Kitchen Scraps to Garden Soil

Composting from Kitchen Scraps
to Garden Soil 

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials, like kitchen scraps and garden waste, into nutrient-rich soil. Instead of sending food scraps to the trash, composting allows them to return to the garden where they improve soil health and support plant growth. 

At its core, composting is simply working with nature to recycle organic matter. 

5 Reasons Why Composting
Is Beneficial

1. Reduces Waste 

Composting keeps food scraps out of landfills. Vegetable peels, eggshells, and plant trimmings can all be put to better use in the garden instead of becoming trash. 

2. Improves Your Soil 

Finished compost adds nutrients back into the soil, improving structure and supporting healthier plants over time. 

3. Saves Money on Gardening Products 

By making your own compost, you reduce the need for store-bought soil amendments and fertilizers. 

4. Helps Soil Retain Moisture 

Compost improves soil’s ability to hold moisture, helping plants stay hydrated longer — especially important during dry or hot periods. 

5. Reduces Greenhouse Gases 

When food waste breaks down in landfills, it produces methane. Composting at home helps reduce these emissions and supports a more sustainable garden system. 

My favorite scraps collecting
bucket that makes it easy to use
while meal prepping.

1. Fill it up with kitchen scraps you’d through away.

2. Empty the full container into a hole in your raised garden bed or composting area in your garden.

3. Cover up and watch it work.

4. Fall and Winter is the best time to do this garden task. It gives scraps time to break down before your garden comes to life in the Spring Season.

5. Gives the beneficial worms plenty of food over the cold season months.

What You Need for a Good Compost

A healthy compost needs a balance of carbon-rich materials (browns) and nitrogen-rich materials (greens). Together, they help materials break down efficiently without odor or pests. 

Carbon-Rich Materials (Browns) 

These materials provide structure and help absorb moisture: 

• Dry leaves 

• Straw or dried grass 

• Shredded cardboard or paper 

• Wood chips or untreated sawdust 

• Add garden plants that are no longer producing, avoiding and diseased plants (throw those in the trash)

 Nitrogen-Rich Materials (Greens) 

These materials add moisture and nutrients: 

• Vegetable scraps 

• Fruit scraps (in moderation) 

• Coffee grounds 

• Eggshells 

• Fresh plant trimmings 

A simple rule: aim for more browns than greens to keep compost balanced. 

What to Avoid When Choosing
Your Materials 

Some items can attract pests or cause odor problems: 

• Meat or fish scraps 

• Dairy products 

• Oily or greasy foods 

• Pet waste 

• Diseased plants 

Keeping these out helps your compost stay clean and manageable. 

3 Easy Solutions for Common Composting Problems 

1. Compost Has an Odor 

Odor usually means too many greens. Add dry browns like leaves or cardboard and gently mix. 

2. There Are Pests or Critters 

Bury food scraps deeper and avoid adding meat, dairy, or cooked foods. 

3. Compost Is Too Dry 

Add a small amount of water and mix lightly. Compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. 

Ready to Transform Your Garden? 

Composting doesn’t have to be complicated. By saving kitchen scraps and returning them to your garden, you’re building healthier soil one step at a time. Whether you compost year-round or seasonally, every scrap counts toward a more productive and sustainable garden.