Composting basics, in videos

Here’s a quick look at the different ways you can compost.

Costa's Guide to Composting & Worm Farming for the Home

AU Sign in 6 Different Ways To Compost, No Matter Where You Live

1) Hot Composting (Active Composting)

How it works:
Organic materials (greens and browns) are mixed in the right ratio and watered to start a heating process. The pile reaches 55–70°C, killing weeds and pathogens. It requires turning every few days.

Videos:
The First Steps to Composting - with Costa Georgiadis

AU Sign in Maintaining a Compost - with Costa Georgiadis

For great compost, think like a microbe | Gardening 101 | Gardening Australia

AU Sign in 5 Hot Composting Mistakes to Avoid

2) Cold Composting (Passive Composting)

How it works:
Food scraps and garden waste are added gradually to a pile or bin. It breaks down slowly over 6–12 months with minimal effort. No turning required, but decomposition is slower.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6PQCbRyvUo

3) Worm Farming (Vermicomposting)

How it works:
Special worms (like tiger worms) eat food scraps and produce high-quality fertiliser called worm castings. Works well for small households and indoor/outdoor setups.

Videos:

How to start a worm farm | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Make a worm farm in a bath

Compost Worm Farming

4) Bokashi Composting

How it works:
Food scraps are placed in an airtight bucket and fermented using a special mix (Bokashi bran). After two weeks, the fermented material is buried or added to compost to finish breaking down. Great for meat, dairy and cooked food.

Videos:

Beginner’s Guide to Bokashi Composting 🌱 | Step-by-Step Tutorial for Fast & Easy Compost

AU Sign in Bokashi Composting from Start to Finish (DIY Bokashi Bucket)

5) Worm Tower

How it works:
A vertical tube (with holes) is buried partly in the soil. You add food scraps into the tower, and worms living in the garden soil move in and out, eating the waste and enriching the surrounding soil with nutrients. Very low maintenance.

Videos:

AU Sign in Cheap and EASY Three Tier Worm Bin System!

6) Keep Chickens

How it works:
Chickens eat most kitchen scraps, reducing household food waste significantly. In return, they provide fresh, healthy eggs and natural fertiliser for the garden. This is an easy and natural circular system.

Videos:

Making Compost Fertiliser with Chickens

What Happened to the Chicken Compost Making Ring 3 Months Later?

How I Make HEAPS of Compost in My Backyard (Feat. Chickens)