Composting 101: How to Turn Yard Waste into Garden Gold

If you’re looking for a simple, eco-friendly way to improve your garden, reduce landfill waste, and enrich your soil naturally, composting is your answer. Whether you have a large yard or a small outdoor space in Western Chicago, composting transforms everyday yard waste and kitchen scraps into rich, nutrient-dense soil that your plants will love.

What Is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials—like grass clippings, leaves, and food scraps—into a dark, crumbly substance called compost. This “black gold” can be used to enrich garden beds, feed your lawn, or pot up new plants. It’s a free and sustainable way to recycle what you’d otherwise throw away.

Why Compost?

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we always encourage sustainable practices, and composting is one of the best ways to:

• Reduce landfill waste: Food scraps and yard trimmings make up over 30% of what we throw away.

• Improve soil health: Compost boosts soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient levels.

• Support plant growth: Your plants will thrive with the steady, natural nutrients compost provides.

• Save money: No need to buy synthetic fertilizers or bagged soil amendments.

What Can You Compost?

There are two main types of materials to include in your compost pile:

Greens (Nitrogen-rich materials)

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Grass clippings

• Plant trimmings

Browns (Carbon-rich materials)

• Dry leaves

• Straw or hay

• Shredded newspaper

• Cardboard (non-glossy)

A healthy compost pile balances greens and browns, ideally in a ratio of 1 part green to 2-3 parts brown. This balance helps the pile break down efficiently and keeps odors in check.

What Not to Compost

Avoid the following items, as they can attract pests or harm your garden:

• Meat, dairy, or oily foods

• Pet waste

• Diseased plants

• Weeds that have gone to seed

• Glossy or colored paper

How to Start Composting

1. Choose a spot: Pick a dry, shady area with good drainage. You can compost in a pile, a bin, or even a tumbler. If you have limited space, countertop compost containers or bokashi bins can work too.

2. Layer your materials: Start with a base of browns (like leaves), then alternate green and brown layers as you add material. Always finish with a brown layer to minimize pests.

3. Keep it moist but not soggy: Your compost pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Water it occasionally during dry spells.

4. Turn it regularly: Every couple of weeks, use a pitchfork or shovel to mix the pile. This aerates the compost and speeds up decomposition.

5. Wait and use: In about 2–3 months (or longer, depending on conditions), you’ll have rich, dark compost ready to use in garden beds, around trees, or to mix into potting soil.

Using Compost in Your Landscape

Once your compost is ready, you can:

• Top-dress your lawn for healthier, greener grass

• Mix it into flower and vegetable beds for improved soil fertility

• Add it to potted plants to boost growth

• Use it as mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we love using compost in our landscape designs—it’s a natural and sustainable way to keep outdoor spaces thriving.

Final Tips

• If your pile smells, add more browns.

• If it’s not breaking down, try turning it more or adjusting the green-to-brown ratio.

• Keep composting year-round—even in Chicago winters, the process just slows down, not stops.

Ready to start composting? Whether you need help setting up a compost bin, choosing the right garden bed, or planning a full eco-friendly landscape, Skyline Exteriors Landscaping is here to help turn your outdoor space into a thriving, sustainable oasis.