If you are like most of us, (Thanks Coronavirus!), you might feel like you cook more at home then ever before. With that said, you are probably also noticing an increase of household food waste.

Let's talk dirty then as we get down to the basics of composting!

What you will need is a designated composting bin. It is best to work with what you already have, such as a trash can or some form of a container that has a lid.

Your composting mix is going to be made of greens and browns. Refer to the lists below. Green materials are generally wet go on top of the layer and brown materials, which are dry go on the bottom. Microorganisms with do their magic when you have aeration, which makes the use and layering of brown materials important. You also will want the brown materials to be more in ratio to the green.

Decomposition will depend on the season and where you live but typically between 3-6 months respective of how cold it is. If its hot, it will take less time to compost. You probably will have to turn it as well. When the compost smells bad (like the landfill) it means it is not decomposing. Compost should start to smell earthy sweet and ince you get a fluffy texture, it is ready to be used in the garden or flower box.