Can I Make Compost in a Bag?
Introduction
Compost is a great way to add nutrients to your soil and help your plants grow healthy and strong. But what if you don’t have space for a compost bin or pile? Can you still make compost?
The answer is yes! You can make compost in a bag. It’s a great way to compost small amounts of material, such as kitchen scraps and yard waste. And it’s easy to do!
Materials You’ll Need
To make compost in a bag, you’ll need:
- Two large, sturdy, black plastic garbage bags
- One part brown materials (such as dry leaves, sawdust, or paper)
- One part green materials (such as tea bags, coffee grounds, or fruit and vegetable scraps)
- One part soil (preferably rich in organic material)
- A little bit of finished compost (to jump-start the composting process)
- Water
Instructions
- Layer the brown materials, green materials, and soil in the first garbage bag.
- Add a little bit of finished compost to the bag.
- Add enough water to moisten the mixture.
- Tie the top of the bag securely.
- Put the bag in the second garbage bag and tie it. (Double-bagging will help to prevent the bag from splitting.)
- Put the compost bag in a sunny spot.
- Give the bag a good shake every couple of weeks.
- After a couple of months, open the bag and check the compost. If it’s crumbly and dark with a fresh, earthy odor, it’s ready to use. If it isn’t finished, leave it a few more weeks.
Tips
- Compost can take up to a year to finish, depending on the weather.
- If your compost isn’t finished by winter, put the bag in a frost-free shed or garage.
- Don’t compost cat or dog waste, meat, grease, fat, oil, diseased plant debris, weeds, or sawdust from pressure-treated wood.
What Materials Can I Compost in a Bag?
Brown materials:
- Dry leaves
- Sawdust
- Dryer lint
- Coffee filters
- Paper
- Twigs
- Bark
- Pine needles
- Straw
Green materials:
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Trimmings from houseplants
- Fruit scraps
- Vegetable scraps
Soil:
- Weed-free garden soil
- Compost
What Materials Should I Not Compost in a Bag?
- Cat or dog waste
- Meat
- Grease
- Fat
- Oil
- Diseased plant debris
- Weeds
- Sawdust from pressure-treated wood
Biodegradable Compost Bags
Be careful about using biodegradable compost bags. They’re not strong enough to hold up long enough to make finished compost. However, biodegradable bags can be used to line a countertop compost bin or under-the-sink compost pail. Just toss the bags in your regular outdoor compost pile or bin every few days.
Conclusion
Making compost in a bag is a great way to add nutrients to your soil and help your plants grow healthy and strong. It’s easy to do and doesn’t require a lot of space. So what are you waiting for? Start composting today!
