Composting at Home
Compost turns kitchen and yard waste into the best soil amendment you can make. A simple pile or bin, balanced "greens" and "browns," and patience are all it takes.
Greens and browns
Greens (veggie scraps, grass) supply nitrogen; browns (leaves, cardboard, wood) supply carbon. Aim roughly 1:2 or 1:3 and keep it moist like a wrung sponge.
Bins and systems
A basic bin costs little; tumblers speed things up; vermicomposting (worms) works indoors. Use the estimator to budget your setup.
Use it
Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy. Mix into beds and containers to improve structure, water retention, and nutrients.
Garden Cost Estimator (compost bin)
Use the free tool below with your own numbers — results are printable.
Lumber, soil, hardware; DIY low end, kit/cedar high end. Range is a U.S. planning estimate (materials, DIY); professional labor is extra. Get local quotes for big jobs.
GardenFig guidance is educational, based on USDA zones and extension guidelines. Confirm local freeze dates, product labels, and regulations with your county extension.