Gardening and Compost!

Gardening & Composting: Turning Scraps Into Soil

There is something deeply grounding about putting your hands in the soil. Gardening reminds us that growth takes time, patience, and care—and one of the most beautiful parts of gardening is realizing that nothing in nature is truly wasted.

That banana peel from breakfast, the coffee grounds from your morning cup, the leaves that fall in your yard—these are all pieces of a natural cycle. When we compost, we simply return those nutrients back to the earth so they can nourish new life.

If you’re new to gardening, composting can feel a little confusing at first. But once you understand what goes into it—and what doesn’t—it becomes one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do for your garden.

What Compost Really Is

Compost is essentially nature’s way of recycling. Organic materials break down over time with the help of microbes, air, and moisture, transforming into rich, dark soil that plants absolutely love.

Good compost improves your soil in ways store-bought fertilizers often can’t. It helps soil hold water, adds nutrients, and supports the tiny microorganisms that keep plants healthy.

Think of compost as food for your soil.

The Two Ingredients Every Compost Pile Needs

A healthy compost pile is all about balance. You’ll often hear gardeners talk about “greens” and “browns.”

Greens (nitrogen-rich materials)

These are the fresh materials that feed the microorganisms doing the work.

Examples include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Coffee grounds and tea leaves

• Eggshells

• Fresh grass clippings

• Plant trimmings from the garden

Browns (carbon-rich materials)

These help create structure and balance in the compost.

Examples include:

• Dry leaves

• Straw or hay

• Cardboard

• Paper

• Wood chips or sawdust

A simple rule many gardeners follow is about three parts browns to one part greens.

Things That Compost Beautifully

You might be surprised how many everyday things can go into a compost pile.

From your kitchen:

• Vegetable scraps

• Fruit peels

• Apple cores

• Banana peels

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Eggshells

From your yard:

• Leaves

• Grass clippings

• Dead flowers

• Garden trimmings

From around the house:

• Plain cardboard

• Paper bags

• Paper towels

• Uncoated paper plates

• Shredded paper

All of these materials naturally break down and help feed the soil.

Things You Should Leave Out

Not everything belongs in a compost pile. Some items can attract pests, create odors, or introduce unwanted bacteria.

It’s best to avoid adding:

• Meat or fish

• Dairy products

• Bones

• Greasy or oily foods

• Dog or cat waste

• Diseased plants

• Plastic or synthetic materials

Keeping these items out will help your compost stay healthy and balanced.

What About Paper and Ink?

This is one question gardeners ask a lot: Is paper safe to compost?

The good news is that many paper products can be composted safely. Most modern newspaper inks are now made from soy or vegetable-based inks, which are much safer than the inks used decades ago.

Generally safe to compost:

• Newspaper

• Brown paper bags

• Plain cardboard

• Shredded office paper

• Paper towels or napkins

However, there are some papers that are best avoided.

You should skip composting:

• Glossy magazines

• Laminated paper

• Receipts (many contain thermal chemicals like BPA)

• Heavily dyed or coated paper

In the past, colored inks sometimes contained heavy metals like lead or cadmium. While regulations have improved over the years, glossy and coated papers can still contain chemicals that don’t break down well in compost.

When in doubt, stick with plain, uncoated paper products.

A Few Simple Compost Tips

Composting doesn’t need to be complicated. A few small habits can make a big difference.

Chop materials smaller

Smaller pieces break down faster.

Turn the pile occasionally

Mixing your compost helps oxygen circulate and speeds up decomposition.

Keep it slightly moist

Your compost should feel like a damp sponge—not dry, but not soaking wet either.

Balance greens and browns

Too many greens can make the pile smell. Browns help keep things balanced.

Over time, you’ll see the materials slowly transform into dark, crumbly soil that smells like the forest floor.

That’s when you know it’s ready.

Why Composting Is Worth It

When you compost, you’re doing something powerful for both your garden and the planet.

You’re:

• Reducing food waste

• Creating nutrient-rich soil

• Supporting healthy plant growth

• Feeding beneficial soil organisms

• Returning nutrients back to the earth

It’s a simple practice, but it reconnects us with the natural cycles that sustain life.

Final Thoughts

Gardening has a beautiful way of reminding us that growth is a process. Composting teaches us that even things we might consider “waste” still have value.

With a little patience and care, those kitchen scraps and fallen leaves will transform into something incredibly nourishing for your garden.

And when your plants start thriving in that rich soil, you’ll see just how magical the process really is.