5 simple steps to supercharge your garden soil with food scraps this spring

Dedicate any unused space in your backyard as a designated compost area. Start by layering dried leaves and shredded paper with vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Add other items lying around your house like used firewood, shredded newspaper, and old household plants. The brown materials provide carbon for your compost, and the green materials provide nitrogen. Avoid using meat, grains, and dairy to avoid curb odors and bugs.

Compost is most effective when it is stored in a closed container. Proper bins that allow for air ventilation and moisture retention can be encouraged through the use of a reusable plastic storage container. Cut holes in the lid to create ideal conditions that promote the activity of aerobic organisms. Keeping your food scraps in a container will help speed up the decomposition process, and keep the process tidy.

The slimy little critters are easier to find than many think. Head to the nearest pet shop to try vermicomposting, or composting with earth worms. Worms in your soil speed up the process of breaking down food waste to increase the quality of your fertilizer. To keep your worms happy, stay away from salty snacks, spicy foods, oily sauces, and meat scraps. Allow them to flourish by placing the composting bin out of direct sunlight, and in temperatures below freezing. Once the compost is ready to be placed in your garden, the worms will continue to help your plants and soil thrive.

Maintaining your composting bin is a quick and easy activity the entire family can be a part of. Spend only minutes each week watching your food bin evolve into a highly complex food source for your plants. Keeping a proper moister level is important for healthy growth and decomposition. Use an online calculator to determine how much water your bin needs for its size. Also make sure your food scraps are occasionally mixed to allow for plenty of aeration.

If your municipality doesn’t pick up food waste, you may be able to find a private composting service, or drop off scraps at farmers' markets. Research what local resources are available to help manage your next composting project. Unused compost can also be donated to neighbors and friends to improve the curbside appeal of the entire block. You can also offer to donate your compost to local schools to help teach kids about sustainability and soil science.