Changed my whole compost setup after a workshop at the local community garden

I used to just toss everything into one big bucket and hope for the best. Then I went to this free workshop at the community garden on 3rd street last Saturday. The guy running it showed us how layering browns and greens actually stops the smell by keeping the balance right. He said most apartment composting fails because people use too many wet scraps and not enough cardboard or dry leaves. I started layering my kitchen waste with shredded newspaper and it's been almost 3 weeks with zero odor. The bin even stays at a good moisture level now, not soupy at the bottom. Has anyone else tried the brown-green layer method and seen a big difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

terryb111d ago

See, I gotta push back on that a little. I used to have the same casual approach for years, just dumping scraps and leaves together, and my pile was always either a slimy mess or bone dry. Once I actually started paying attention to the brown-green layers, the difference was night and day for me. It's not about being a perfectionist with measuring cups, but getting the balance roughly right makes a huge difference in how fast things break down and whether you get fruit flies or bad smells. Your mileage may vary, but I think the layering trick is one of those things that sounds fussy until you try it and realize it actually saves you work in the long run.

matthew8641d ago

I read somewhere that the ratio should be roughly 3 parts brown to 1 part green by volume, and that really stuck with me since I was doing it backwards before.

fisher.charlie1d ago

I mean, I get that people get really specific about the 3:1 thing, but honestly... does it really matter that much in the long run? I've been composting for years and sometimes I just throw whatever kitchen scraps I have in there, leaves, grass clippings, whatever. Never measured a thing. It all breaks down eventually, just maybe takes a little longer if you're way off. Seems like a lot of worry over something nature handles on its own. But hey, if following that ratio makes you feel better, go for it.