Composting is a way to turn food scraps and yard waste, like leaves and grass, into rich soil that helps our plants grow. It helps us move nutrients through an ecosystem and ensure it is healthy and balanced!

Graphic of the plant cycle. Going clockwise around the circle, a full apple sits at the top, then an eaten apple, then the apple in a compost bin with worms, then nutrient rich dirt, then a new apple sprout, then a full apple tree, then back to the full apple.

The Process

  1. Mix an equal amount of brown materials like dried leaves and twigs with green materials like vegetable scraps and grass clippings. The brown materials provide energy, while the green materials provide nutrients and moisture.
  2. Turn the compost pile every few days to let in air, keep it moist, and make sure the temperature is even. This helps decomposers work and stops the compost from smelling.
Side view graphic of aerobic composting. Top layer is dried leaves, food scraps, grass clippings and cardboard. Next layer is leaves and dirt starting to break down. Next layer is a different stage of the materials breaking down and releasing heat. Air vents on the side introduce oxygen. There are moisture droplets and heat waves to represent how it is important to monitor and balance these variables. The bottom layer is spilling open with nutrient rich dirt.

Benefits

  • Healthy Soil: Compost makes the soil more nutrient-rich, which helps our plants grow strong.
  • Less Trash: Composting reduces the amount of waste that gets thrown away into landfills, keeping our Earth clean.