Here are 10 essential tips for urban composting.

In the United States, over 200 million pounds (90,718 metric tons) of trash are discarded daily. About 15% of that comes from kitchen and yard waste, which typically ends up in our landfills [source: Bailey].

Composting prevents valuable organic materials from being wasted by turning them into fertilizer for your garden, window boxes, and hanging baskets. It's an efficient way to accelerate nature's recycling, creating the right conditions for rapid decomposition, and converting organic waste into humus—a rich, dark, crumbly substance that nourishes the soil.

The humus created during composting is packed with minerals and nutrients vital for plant growth. While synthetic fertilizers provide temporary fixes for poor soil, compost improves soil structure and enriches it long-term. It also helps the environment by recycling organic waste, cutting down air pollution from garbage trucks, and extending landfill life.

Composting is easy, affordable, and doesn’t have an unpleasant smell. In fact, nature’s helpers—bugs and worms—do most of the work for you. Plus, it’s a great way to maximize the limited space you might have in your city garden.

Excited to begin composting? Keep reading for some helpful tips on composting in the city.

10: Learn the Basics

You don’t need to take a Composting 101 class or read a lengthy manual to succeed. Composting is something almost anyone can do. However, there are a few key points you should understand before starting.

The four essential elements for composting are air, water, carbon, and nitrogen. A good balance of air and water encourages the rapid growth of decomposers—organisms like bacteria, worms, bugs, and fungi—that break down the carbon and nitrogen in your compost. Of these, bacteria are the most abundant decomposers.

Aerobic bacteria thrive in oxygen-rich environments and are the most efficient at breaking down materials. When there is insufficient air in the pile, anaerobic bacteria take over, causing decomposition to slow down. These bacteria also release hydrogen sulfide, which creates a foul rotten egg odor. Therefore, ensuring your compost pile gets enough air is crucial.

Aim to keep your compost pile moist, but not overly wet. When moisture levels drop, decomposition slows down. Excess moisture can deplete air levels, encouraging anaerobic bacteria to grow.

Carbon is derived from dry, lifeless materials found in your kitchen and garden, while nitrogen comes from fresh, moist waste. Composting works best with a 30:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio [source: National Sierra Club]. Strive for balance in your compost pile, though the exact ratio doesn't need to be perfect.

9: Choose the Right Bin

While a composting bin isn't essential, especially when composting just yard waste, it helps keep your compost pile neat and compact. Generally, a closed container, whether DIY or store-bought, is a better option than simply creating a loose pile.

Composting bins help retain warmth and moisture, while keeping pets, rodents, and other pests away. They come in various sizes, shapes, and price ranges, making it easy to find one that fits your needs.

Take the available space into account when choosing a bin. If you have a yard, you might opt for one that's several square feet. For apartments, a compact model that can be tucked away on a balcony or a countertop version that slides under your cabinets could be ideal.

When selecting a bin, consider your décor. Composting bins are available in plastic, wood, metal, and ceramic. You can also get creative and make your own from materials like wooden pallets, cinder blocks, or even old tires. Add a personal touch by painting it in your favorite color, attaching flower boxes, or wrapping vines around it.

The type and placement of your bin affect how much time you spend tending your compost pile. A tumbling bin is great for easy aeration. Putting a bin near your home encourages regular use. Placing it near your garden bed reduces hauling, and a sunny spot may require more watering but can be beneficial in cooler climates.

With the variety of options available, you're bound to find a bin that suits your needs.

8: Balance Green and Brown

Nitrogen is derived from your green kitchen and yard waste, while carbon comes from brown materials. Both are essential for successful composting.

For nitrogen-rich materials, think of fresh, moist, green items. Add green plants, garden clippings, leaves, flowers, and grass trimmings. Kitchen contributions like eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable scraps work well too.

Carbon materials come from dry garden elements such as autumn leaves, twigs, straw, hay, pine needles, and potting soil. In the kitchen, shredded newspaper, bread, grains, nutshells, corncobs, and used paper towels and napkins are good choices.

To make compost collection easier, keep bags of yard waste close to your compost pile and designate a compost pail or a spot in your freezer for your kitchen scraps. This will minimize trips to the compost bin and help keep fruit flies and odors at bay inside your home.

Without enough greens, decomposition will be slow. Without enough browns, it can create unpleasant odors. Finding the right balance is key. Typically, you'll need 25-30 times more brown materials than green [source: Bailey]. If you're unsure, it's safer to use more browns. Watch your compost—if it's too wet, add carbon; if it’s not breaking down, increase nitrogen.

7: Cover It Up

As your nitrogen-rich greens break down, you may notice a strong ammonium smell. To keep odors in check, mix carbon-rich browns thoroughly into the pile and cover fresh greens with them. This will not only reduce odors but also deter pests and flies from invading your compost.

When composting indoors with worms, it's essential to cover their food with carbon-rich materials like shredded newspaper. To avoid unpleasant rotting smells, keep an eye on the worms' food consumption. If they aren't finishing everything, try reducing the amount you feed them.

6: Make It Rodent Proof

If your compost bin is enclosed, rodents typically won't be a concern. However, if they've managed to get in, it's time to take action.

Start by watching what you add to the compost. Avoid putting in meat, dairy, or fatty foods, which are known to attract animals. Make sure any other food scraps are well hidden beneath a 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) layer of brown materials like dry leaves. Turn the pile regularly and always cover new greens with more browns to discourage pests.

Next, inspect your bin for any gaps or holes larger than a quarter inch (0.64 cm). If your bin is placed directly on soil, consider laying a screen between the bottom of the bin and the ground to block burrowing animals like rats. Installing a vertical screen 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep around the perimeter will also help keep critters out.

5: Keep It Damp

A compost pile that dries out will eventually decompose, but the process will take much longer. It's essential to keep the pile moist, but not overly wet. The ideal moisture level is similar to that of a wrung-out sponge, which allows the organisms to transform plant matter into rich compost.

As you water the pile, turn it to ensure all materials are evenly moistened. If turning is difficult, create deep holes in the pile, insert a garden hose, and turn on the water. The leaves should sparkle with moisture, and the shredded paper should be damp but not soggy.

In hot, dry climates, your compost may need additional water to maintain the correct moisture level. Take advantage of natural rainfall: if rain is expected, remove the lid of your compost container to let the rainwater in. Afterward, cover the pile again to preserve heat and moisture, while also keeping pests at bay.

4: Let It Breathe

To do their job effectively, microorganisms need air. Turning your compost regularly ensures proper airflow. If you have a large pile, rotate it in sections. Stirring the compost not only allows fresh air in but also helps to distribute excess moisture and accelerates decomposition by mixing greens and browns. Turning also helps reduce odors that tend to develop in compacted piles.

Mixing and fluffing your compost is essential. Use a long-handled rake, pitchfork, or even a sturdy stick to move the center material to the outside and vice versa. It's recommended to do this every two to four weeks for optimal composting [source: The City of New York].

3: Speed Up the Process

So, when will your compost be ready? If you add new materials intermittently and turn the pile occasionally, expect to wait for at least a year or more before it's fully composted. However, if you're eager to speed up the process, there are strategies to accelerate it.

For faster decomposition, smaller is better. The more finely chopped your materials, the quicker they break down. Use hand pruners or a knife to cut large yard waste into pieces no larger than 4 inches (about 10 centimeters), and chop your kitchen scraps into small pieces as well.

Turning your compost more often will help speed things along. Aim to mix your pile at least once a week and keep it moist by spraying it with water.

With a little extra attention, you could have fully decomposed compost in as little as three months [source: The City of New York].

2: Test for Doneness

The time it takes for compost to fully mature can vary. Climate plays a key role; warmer temperatures boost microbial activity, speeding up decomposition, while cooler temperatures slow things down. The types of materials used and how much care you put into ensuring your pile gets adequate air and moisture also influence the timing. Your compost could be ready in as little as three months, or it might take over a year to fully mature.

Your finished compost should look nothing like the original materials you added. If it appears dark and crumbly, it could be ready to use. However, it's important to confirm. If the mixture still contains food scraps, it may attract rodents or other pests.

A quick bag test can help you determine when your compost is ready. Simply place a handful of compost into a ziplock bag and seal it for about a week. When you open the bag, it should have a pleasant, earthy smell. If it smells sour or like ammonia, the microbes are still breaking things down. Give it another week to finish curing and then test again.

1: Use It Wisely

Compost provides a valuable boost to both indoor and outdoor plants. In the fall, spread several inches over your vegetable garden and mix it into the soil during spring. When planting, place a handful in each hole. As plants grow, add about half an inch (1.27 centimeters) around their base. However, if your compost contains plant cuttings or grass clippings treated with pesticides, avoid using it on fruits or vegetables.

Once the ground softens in the spring, loosen the top few inches of your flowerbeds and incorporate a layer of compost. It can also serve as mulch to control weeds and help conserve moisture. For potted plants and window boxes, add compost twice annually to keep your flowers thriving. You can also mix your own potting soil by combining two parts compost with one part sand.

A top dressing of compost will enhance your grass's greenness. If you have a spreader, that's the simplest way to apply it. If not, a shovel and rake will do the job. For bare spots, mix compost into the soil before reseeding.

Apply up to 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters) of compost around trees to reduce moisture loss, stabilize soil temperature, and provide essential nutrients. Avoid placing compost directly against the tree bark, as this can cause rot and attract pests—leave some space for protection.

By using your compost effectively, you'll soon be enjoying the fruits and vegetables of your labor. Your daylilies and lawn will be admired by the neighborhood, and your plants will thrive like never before.