How to Start Composting at Home for a Better Garden
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If you want a lush, productive raised bed garden, it starts from the ground up — literally. One of the best ways to grow strong, healthy plants is to start composting at home. Composting turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich, nourishing soil that helps your garden flourish naturally. If you’re building raised beds this year or refreshing your backyard garden, don’t skip the most important part: the soil.
God created all things to work together — and your garden soil is no exception. Using a mix of topsoil and compost gives your vegetables, herbs, and flowers exactly what they need to thrive. I started my four raised beds last year, and I purchased dump load of topsoil and compost mix 50/50. For this year, I have refreshed my beds using compost I started at home.
Why Compost Matters for Raised Beds
Topsoil and compost each have a special role to play. When combined, they create a healthy, balanced growing space:
- Topsoil gives structure, supports roots, and retains moisture.
- Compost is rich in nutrients and helps the soil drain better.
- Together, they build a living soil full of microbes and minerals that feed your plants naturally.
A 50/50 blend is perfect for raised beds. Whether you’re starting fresh or topping off last year’s garden, this mix is like a home-cooked meal for your plants. They’ll grow stronger, faster, and produce more — all without chemical fertilizers.
Start Your Own Compost at Home — It’s Easier Than You Think
One of the best parts of gardening is that nothing goes to waste. You can turn your kitchen scraps and yard clippings into garden gold! Composting is simply nature’s way of recycling. I have a cute little compost bin on my kitchen counter that was given to me by a dear friend. Here is the one I use.
🪴 What You Need to Begin Composting:
- A compost bin (store-bought or homemade) or a small pile in a corner of your yard
- A balance of greens (kitchen scraps like veggie peels, coffee grounds, grass clippings)
- A balance of browns (dry leaves, cardboard, shredded paper)
- Some water and regular turning
📝 How to Compost in 4 Simple Steps:
- Layer greens and browns like a lasagna — too much of one and it won’t break down right.
- Turn your pile weekly to add oxygen (this helps it break down faster).
- Keep it moist, like a damp sponge. Not dry, not soggy.
- Be patient – in a few months, you’ll have dark, earthy compost ready to mix into your beds.
Bonus tip: Don’t add meat, dairy, or oily foods — they attract pests and slow things down.
God’s Design: Nothing Wasted
It’s amazing how God designed creation to renew itself. Even what we consider scraps can become nourishment. Composting reminds us that beauty and purpose can come from the unseen, the overlooked, and the tossed aside. Just like in life — God uses everything.
🌿 “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden.” – Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
Ready to Grow?
Whether you’re prepping your first raised bed or starting a compost pile out back, take it one step at a time. Keep your soil healthy, keep your heart rooted, and watch what blooms.
Want more garden inspiration?
Check out Raised Bed Garden for step-by-step tips to get started.
Learn how to grow and use Lemon Balm: The Herb You Need in Your Garden.
About the Host
Hey sweet friend — I’m Ashley, the heart behind SimplyBlessedDesignz and the voice of Unscripted Conversations.
I’m a faith-filled creative who believes in Jesus, Dollar Tree flips, and showing up even when life gets messy. Whether I’m podcasting, crafting, or cooking something from scratch, my prayer is always the same: that you leave here encouraged and reminded you’re never alone.
Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s do this life—one grace-filled day at a time. 💛