5 Common Composting Mistakes to Avoid for Healthy Soil

Composting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the health of your soil and reduce household waste.

However, many gardeners, especially inexperienced ones, tend to make mistakes when it comes to composting.

In this post, I will discuss the 5 most common composting mistakes and offer tips on how to avoid them.

By the end of this post, you will be equipped with the knowledge to create nutrient-rich compost and healthy soil.

So, let’s avoid these common composting mistakes and begin!

Balancing “Greens” and “Browns” in Composting

Composting involves mixing “greens,” such as fruit scraps and lawn clippings, with “browns,” such as dead leaves and newspaper. Achieving a balance of these two types of materials is crucial for healthy compost and soil.

Greens provide nitrogen, which helps break down compost materials quickly, while browns provide carbon, which helps keep the compost from becoming slimy and smelly. Without enough browns, the compost can become too wet and attract pests, and without enough greens, the compost will break down too slowly.

To ensure a balanced mix, aim for a ratio of about 2 to 3 parts browns to 1 part greens. You can use a compost calculator to help determine the appropriate ratio based on the materials you have available. Some additional tips for achieving a balanced mix include:

• Chopping up larger materials into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition
• Adding water as necessary to maintain the ideal moisture level (about as damp as a wrung-out sponge)
• Turning the compost regularly to mix the materials and incorporate oxygen

A well-balanced compost mix will result in nutrient-rich soil that can help plants thrive without the need for harsh chemical fertilizers.

Adding meat, dairy, and oils

When it comes to composting, it’s important to add the right materials to ensure healthy soil. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly add materials that can have negative consequences. Meat, dairy, and oils are some of the most problematic things you can add to your compost.

These items can be difficult to break down, and when they do, they can attract pests and emit unpleasant odors. Additionally, they can promote the growth of harmful bacteria, which can ultimately introduce disease into your soil.

So, what can you do? Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives for composting kitchen scraps. You can add things like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, and nut shells. These items are typically easy to break down and won’t cause any harmful side effects. By avoiding meat, dairy, and oils, you’ll be doing your part to ensure your compost and soil stay healthy.

Using Treated Wood and Other Harmful Materials

Using treated wood and other harmful materials in compost is a mistake that can have serious long-term consequences for soil health. Treated wood, in particular, can contain chemicals that can kill beneficial microorganisms in compost, which can negatively impact the overall health and nutrient content of soil.

Instead of using treated wood or other harmful materials to build a compost bin, consider using natural materials like untreated wood, bricks, or concrete blocks. Alternatively, you can purchase composting materials that are specifically designed to be safe for gardening and soil health.

By avoiding the use of harmful materials in your composting, you can help ensure that your soil remains healthy and nutrient-rich for years to come.

Mistake #4: Not properly maintaining the compost pile

Regularly maintaining your compost pile is crucial for ensuring healthy soil. If you neglect the pile, you risk creating anaerobic conditions, which can emit unpleasant odors and result in excessive water retention.

To properly maintain your compost pile, make sure you turn it regularly. This aerates the pile and helps to evenly distribute moisture and nutrients. Aim to turn the pile every few weeks, either by using a pitchfork to manually turn the contents or investing in a tumbling compost bin that can be rotated easily.

Another important aspect of maintenance is monitoring the moisture levels of the pile. You want your compost to be moist but not waterlogged. If the pile is too dry, it won’t properly decompose, whereas if it’s too wet, it can become heavy and compacted. Regularly checking the moisture level with a soil moisture meter or by hand can help you ensure that the compost is at the right consistency.

Finally, be mindful of what you are adding to the compost pile. Avoid adding weeds, diseased plants, and pet waste, as these can all contain harmful pathogens that can prevent your compost from breaking down properly. On the other hand, adding natural materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps will help to introduce a healthy balance of microbes and nutrients into the compost.

Properly maintaining a compost pile may seem like a lot of work, but it is well worth the effort when it comes to achieving healthy soil. By turning the pile regularly, monitoring the moisture level, and being mindful of what you add to the pile, you can ensure that your compost is nutrient-rich and ready to be used in your garden.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, composting mistakes are easy to make but also easy to avoid with the right knowledge.

By balancing “greens” and “browns,” avoiding meat and dairy, using non-treated materials, properly maintaining the compost pile, and waiting for compost to mature, you can achieve healthy and nutrient-rich soil that will support your plants and contribute to a sustainable ecosystem.

Before you go, I want to hear from you - which of these strategies are you going to try first?

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to help.

And if you found this post helpful, please consider sharing it on social media to spread the word and help others achieve healthy soil through composting.