Composting in Central Oregon: Tips for a Cleaner, Greener Garden
Composting is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and build better soil—and in Central Oregon, where the growing season is short and the soil can be a little on the tough side, compost can give your plants the healthy boost they need.
Whether it’s a backyard veggie patch or a few raised beds of flowers, turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich, earthy compost is easier than most people think. And with a little know-how, it doesn’t have to smell bad, attract pests, or take up too much time.
Here are a few composting tips that work well in our high desert climate—and make the whole process cleaner and more efficient.
Choosing a Composter That Works for You
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated. The best composter is the one that fits your space, your garden, and your lifestyle. Here are a few popular styles that work well here in Central Oregon:
Tumbler Bins
These are elevated and easy to turn, which helps speed up composting and keeps pests at bay. They’re perfect for small yards or patios and those who like a tidy setup.
Stationary Bins
Sitting right on the ground, these bins come in plastic or wood—wooden ones add a natural, rustic touch and are a great plastic-free option. They hold more material and work well if you have a bigger garden or yard.
Open Bins
Made from wire or pallets, open bins are a simple, budget-friendly choice. They offer lots of airflow but need a bit more care to keep animals away and the compost balanced.
Worm Bins
For smaller spaces or indoor composting, worm bins are a charming, efficient way to turn scraps into rich soil. They’re great for apartments, patios, or anyone who wants a little extra help from nature’s tiny gardeners.
Balance is Key: Greens & Browns
Compost needs a mix of two main types of materials:
Greens – veggie scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells
Browns – dried leaves, straw, cardboard, newspaper, or shredded paper
Too many greens and things can get slimy or smelly. Too many browns and the pile might just sit there, not doing much. A good rule of thumb is a 2:1 ratio—twice as many browns as greens.
A small kitchen pail with a charcoal filter lid is a great way to collect food scraps during the week. When it’s full, dump it into the composter and add a few handfuls of browns. Grab shredded junk mail, paper towel rolls, or torn-up cardboard right from the recycling bin—it all works!
Keep Pests and Smells Away
Nobody wants their compost bin to become a buffet for raccoons or mice—or worse, start stinking up the backyard.
Here are a few simple tips to keep your compost clean and critter-free:
No meat, dairy, or oily foods—these don’t break down well and attract animals
Bury new scraps under a layer of browns
Keep your bin sealed and elevated if possible
Turn the pile regularly to keep oxygen flowing and odors down
When Is Compost Ready to Use?
You’ll know compost is finished when it’s:
Dark brown or black
Crumbly in texture
Cool to the touch
Smelling earthy (like rich forest soil)
It shouldn’t look like what went in—no visible scraps or paper bits. Depending on temperature, moisture, and how often it’s turned, a batch can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to fully break down.
How to Use Compost in Your Garden or Flower Beds
Once it’s ready, compost can be used all over the garden:
In vegetable beds – Mix into the top few inches of soil before planting
Around established plants – Use like mulch to feed soil and hold in moisture
In containers or pots – Blend with potting mix for an extra nutrient boost
On new flower beds – Spread a layer and mix it in to improve soil structure
For most garden uses, a 1–2 inch layer is plenty. Compost is powerful stuff—you don’t need a ton to see the benefits.
A Simple Way to Give Back to the Soil
At the end of the day, composting is just a small shift in how we look at waste—and how we give back to the earth that grows our food and flowers. Whether you're tossing scraps into a tumbler or layering leaves in a corner pile, every bit of compost makes your garden stronger, your harvest healthier, and your connection to nature a little deeper.
Need help getting started? Come by the stand—we love talking garden stuff, and we’re always happy to help you get going with composting basics.