Skip to main content

Composting: Gardening game changer or stinky myth?

Plant enthusiasts of all kinds, both organic purists and non-organic gardeners alike, are passionate about great compost. They call it “black gold,” because they say it makes flowers bloom better, vegetables produce more, and grass grow greener. If you’ve tried composting and had unfavorable results, such as foul odors, or if you just think the whole process seems a bit too messy and likely to attract pests, you may wonder if it’s really worthwhile. With the rise in municipal and private enterprise composting services that process your waste for you, there are incentives to leave it to the experts. They haul it away, turn it into good soil, and you may or may not ever see it again. But for gardeners, there are even greater benefits to be had from doing it yourself. 

Metal gardening tools, gardening gloves, and several colorful flowers arranged on a patch of soil
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are the benefits of composting?

The benefits of composting are plentiful and makes it worth the effort. For one, composting diverts food waste and other plant debris out of landfills and reduces methane emissions, which are some of the most harmful greenhouse gasses. Making compost at home is a great way to recycle nutrients within your landscape and lower the need for a significant portion of lawn and garden fertilizers. When you compost instead of throwing away vegetable scraps, fallen leaves, weeds, and grass clippings, you harvest the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients that make up the physical mass of these items. Nutrients in homemade compost can replace up to one-third of the fertilizer that you previously applied to your garden.

Gardening with compost improves soil structure, boosts soil biodiversity, and builds a more resilient garden. Unlike conventional fertilizers, compost increases soil organic matter. It improves the soil’s ability to balance water retention and drainage. The bacteria and fungi that perform the action of composting can suppress plant diseases and other garden pests.

Does compost affect plant growth?

Compost improves soil structure and provides consistent nutrient availability for stronger root development and better overall plant growth. Plants that grow in soils with compost have fewer problems with disease and insect infestations. These soils require less frequent watering and are more likely to stay within the ideal pH range for optimum plant growth.

Compost helps plants use fertilizer more efficiently and provides consistent nutrient availability over time. In order for organic fertilizer to work, microbes such as those in compost must first consume and break it down into plant-available nutrients. In the case of conventional synthetic fertilizers, compost acts as a soil buffer to improve its effectiveness and reduce the likelihood of pollution. Synthetic fertilizers are designed to be used right away. Whatever is not absorbed runs off, and can pollute adjacent water sources. Gardens where compost is used in combination with synthetic fertilizers have little or no runoff because the microbes consume  excess nutrients, and then release them for plants to use later. 

adding scraps to a compost bin
Anna Hoychuk / Shutterstock

Does compost stink?

Compost does not stink if conditions are favorable. The carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio is a critical factor in keeping the smell away as is proper aeration. The primary composting microbes are oxygen-loving (aerobic) bacteria. They use carbon as a source of energy and nitrogen allows them to synthesize proteins. A healthy C:N ratio for them is about 30:1. Like other living things, they also need an adequate supply of water. So, if your compost is moist, well aerated, and has a C:N ratio between 25:1 and 40:1, you won’t have a problem.

Bad smells are indications that the process is not happening the way it should. If the compost gives off an odor of ammonia, that means there is an excessive amount of nitrogen in the mix. Eliminate the odor by mixing in high carbon materials like wood chips, shredded paper, or shredded cardboard. A rotten or sulphur smell means that the mix has become compacted or is too wet and anaerobic bacteria are flourishing. Aerate the pile to get rid of the stink, and if it’s slimy or soggy, add some dry high carbon material. 

woman in a garden holding carrots
wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock

Compost is a game changer

Finished compost is dark brown with a crumbly texture. The smell should be pleasantly earthy. It contains beneficial microbes that help plants use nutrients efficiently and suppress diseases and pests in the soil.  The bulk organic matter in compost is an excellent soil amendment for any garden setting, improving drainage while increasing water holding capacity. Mix it with your native garden soil or with potting soil when planting new plants. Use it as mulch around vegetables and flowers. Spread a thin layer on your lawn. Compost is absolutely worth the effort.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
Grow these 6 unique companion plants for raspberries in your garden
These plants will grow happily with your raspberries
Several ripe red raspberries on a vine

Like many plants, raspberry bushes can benefit from their neighbors. When planning the space next to a raspberry bush in your garden, consider plants that bring in pollinators, repel pests, and add soil nutrients. Keep in mind the environment each plant prefers when planning your garden -- a plant that loves water and a plant that prefers drought aren't going to make good neighbors.

Spacing is important as well. Raspberry bushes need space to grow, but they will welcome companion plants, whether they’re flowers, evergreens, or other fruits and vegetables, as long as they aren't too close. These six raspberry companion plants are our recommendations to you!

Read more
How to care for geraniums, the perfect flower for your garden
Follow these tips for lush blooms
An overgrown lilac bush beside a mailbox

Come spring, geraniums are some of the loveliest flowers that you can put out in your garden, no matter if you have them in flower beds or hanging flower baskets. They’re also very low maintenance, as they can withstand drought and are easy to grow alongside other blooms. If you're new to growing this lovely bloom, here's a foolproof geranium care guide to help you ensure vibrant, productive flowers.

What are geraniums?
If you’re looking for a common garden geranium with a sweet scent, be sure to look for plants in the Pelargonium genus, as cranesbill flowers are also called geraniums. Native to southern Africa, plants in the Pelargonium genus feature rounded, fragrant leaves with showy five-petaled flowers in attractive colors such as pink, purple, and white.

Read more
What is diatomaceous earth – and why does your garden need it?
Using diatomaceous earth in your garden
Hand in a brown and white glove holding a pile of Epsom salt next to an evergreen tree

When dealing with pest control, there are many home remedies and solutions to explore. One you may or may not have heard of is diatomaceous earth. You may be wondering what diatomaceous earth is and what pests it can get rid of, and that’s where we come in. This simple guide will answer all the questions you have about using diatomaceous earth as a pest control method, from what it is to how to use it, so that you have all the info you need to make the best choice for your garden.

What is diatomaceous earth?
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that contains diatoms, a type of ancient algae. It's extremely soft and easy to crush into a powder, which is the form you are most likely to find it in. You can find bags of diatomaceous earth powder online and in many home improvement stores.

Read more