Food scraps and yard cuttings don't need to be thrown out. Instead, you can compost them and turn them into rich, nutritious soil that can be used to nourish your garden - or donated to someone else who will be able to use it for theirs.
There are many ways to compost; some compost mixtures allow for items like meat and dairy to be included, while others are strictly for fruit and vegetable scraps. To start a basic compost pile, save these items: Green items, which break down quickly, like raw vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, grass cuttings, leaves; Brown items, which break down slowly, like sticks and branches, paper, cardboard, eggshells, sawdust. Create a compost site. Select an area in a sunny or partially shaded spot in your yard for your compost site. Ideally, you'll compost directly over dirt or grass, but if you don't have a large yard area, you can compost on a concrete patio.
Here are a few different ways you can structure your compost site: Make a compost pile. This is the simplest way to compost. All you have to do is make a pile in your yard. It should be located well away from your house since composting sometimes attracts mice and insects. Make a compost box. You can construct a box made to the exact dimensions that suit your needs. Buy a compost bin. They're available at most home and garden stores and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.