Ronny's Composting Tips – Columbia Gorge Organic

Ronny's composting tips

Yard and food wastes make up about a third of the waste stream in the U.S., so it makes a lot of environmental sense to do home composting. And it’s fun for the whole family to discover how beautiful, rich soil is made!

  • 1. Grab a Bin

    Start with a small kitchen pail + an outdoor bin or pile. Size it to fit your space! Tip: Look for one with good airflow to keep things fresh.
  • 2. Collect Your Scraps

    Toss in fruit peels, veggie trimmings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Tip: Skip meat, dairy, and oily stuff...they don’t compost well.
  • 3. Add Browns & Greens

    Balance “greens” (food scraps) with “browns” (leaves, paper, twigs).Tip: Aim for 2 parts browns to 1 part greens to avoid stink.
  • 4. Stir It Up

    Mix it every week or two to keep air flowing and speed things up. Tip: A garden fork or shovel works great.
  • 5. Wait for the Magic

    In a few weeks to months, you’ll have rich, crumbly compost ready to use! Tip: Finished compost smells earthy and looks like dark soil.
  • Click to Read More from EPA “Composting at Home”