Guide

Getting started

Starting is easier than most people expect. You need a spot, a mix of materials, and a little patience.

First, pick a method that fits your space. A backyard gives you room for an open pile or a bin. A patio fits a tumbler. An apartment can run a worm bin under the sink. There is no wrong answer, only what you will actually keep up with.

Second, gather your two ingredient types. Greens are fresh and nitrogen-rich: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings. Browns are dry and carbon-rich: dead leaves, shredded cardboard, plain paper. A good starting habit is two or three parts browns for every one part greens.

Third, build in layers. Browns on the bottom, then greens, then cover with more browns. Covering food with browns keeps smells down and pests out.

Fourth, check moisture. Squeeze a handful. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too dry, add water. Too wet, add browns.

Then let the microorganisms work. Turn the pile every week or two to give them air, and adjust as you go. Start small, learn what your pile likes, and grow from there.

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