How to make compost at home in the Philippines is easier than most gardeners think. The tropical climate with year-round warmth and humidity creates ideal conditions for decomposition. A Filipino household generates 500 grams to 1 kilogram of compostable kitchen waste daily. Instead of sending that waste to already overflowing landfills, you can transform it into free fertilizer that feeds your garden for years.
What Is Composting?
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials into a dark, nutrient-rich soil amendment. Bacteria, fungi, insects, and worms consume kitchen scraps and garden waste, converting them into humus. This finished compost feeds plants, improves soil structure, and reduces household waste by 30 to 50 per cent. Philippine temperatures of 25 to 35 degrees Celsius year-round speed up decomposition compared to temperate countries.
Step-by-Step Composting Guide
Step 1: Choose Your Bin
Use any container with drainage holes. A plastic drum with holes drilled in the sides and bottom works well. You can also build a simple bin from wooden pallets or use a dedicated compost tumbler. For small spaces, a 20-litre bucket with a lid works for bokashi composting. Place your bin in a shaded area with access to water.
Step 2: Layer Brown and Green Materials
Start with a 10-centimetre layer of brown materials (dried leaves, cardboard, or newspaper). Add a 5-centimetre layer of green materials (kitchen scraps, grass clippings). Alternate layers until the bin is full. Maintain a 3 to 1 ratio of brown to green materials. Sprinkle water between layers to keep the pile moist like a wrung-out sponge.
Step 3: Turn and Monitor
Turn the compost pile every 7 to 10 days using a garden fork or stick. Turning introduces oxygen that feeds the decomposition bacteria. The pile should feel warm in the centre, which indicates active decomposition. Add water if the pile feels dry. Add more brown materials if it smells bad, which means too much nitrogen from green scraps.
Step 4: Harvest Finished Compost
Compost is ready in 2 to 4 months when it looks dark brown, feels crumbly, and smells earthy. No recognisable food scraps should remain. Screen the finished compost through a wire mesh to remove large pieces. Return unfinished material to the bin for further decomposition. Store finished compost in bags or use it immediately in your garden.
What to Compost and What to Avoid
Compost these (green materials):
- Vegetable and fruit scraps, peels, and cores
- Coffee grounds and tea leaves
- Rice and cooked grains (small amounts)
- Fresh grass clippings and plant trimmings
- Eggshells (crush them first)
Compost these (brown materials):
- Dried leaves and twigs
- Cardboard and newspaper (shredded)
- Sawdust and wood chips (untreated)
- Coconut husks and coir (chopped)
- Dried grass and straw
Do NOT compost:
- Meat, fish, and bones (attract pests)
- Dairy products and oily foods
- Pet waste (contains harmful bacteria)
- Diseased or pest-infested plants
- Weeds with mature seeds
Composting Methods Compared
- Hot composting. Fast method using regular turning and proper ratios. Ready in 6 to 8 weeks. Needs space for a 1 cubic metre pile. Kills weed seeds and pathogens through heat.
- Cold composting. Pile-and-wait method. Ready in 3 to 4 months. Minimal effort but slower results. Does not kill weed seeds.
- Vermicomposting. Uses worms to process waste. Ready in 2 to 3 months. Works in small spaces. Produces high-quality vermicast.
- Bokashi. Fermentation method using beneficial microbes. Ready in 2 weeks for pre-compost. Works indoors. Handles all food waste including meat and dairy.
- Trench composting. Bury scraps directly in garden beds. Decomposes in 2 to 3 months underground. Zero equipment needed.
Composting Supplies in the Philippines
- Compost bins. P500 to P2,000 at garden shops and hardware stores. DIY options cost P200 to P500.
- Compost activator. P150 to P300 per bottle. Speeds up decomposition. Available at agricultural supply shops.
- African nightcrawler worms. P300 to P500 per batch for vermicomposting. Available from worm farms and online.
- Bokashi bran. P200 to P400 per kilogram. Available online and at select garden centres.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does composting take in the Philippines?
Composting in the Philippines takes 2 to 4 months depending on your method and materials. The tropical heat accelerates decomposition compared to cooler climates. Hot composting with regular turning produces usable compost in 6 to 8 weeks. Cold composting without turning takes 3 to 4 months. Vermicomposting with worms produces vermicast in 2 to 3 months. Turn your pile weekly and maintain moisture levels to speed up the process. Finished compost looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy with no recognisable food scraps.
What can I compost at home in the Philippines?
Compost these green materials: vegetable scraps, fruit peels, rice, coffee grounds, tea bags, and fresh grass clippings. Compost these brown materials: dried leaves, cardboard, newspaper, sawdust, dried grass, and coconut husks. Do not compost: meat, fish, dairy, oily food, pet waste, diseased plants, or weeds with seeds. Maintain a ratio of 3 parts brown materials to 1 part green materials for optimal decomposition. Chop large scraps into smaller pieces to speed up the process.
Can I compost in a small space or condo in the Philippines?
Yes. Small-space composting works well using a bokashi bin system that fits under the kitchen counter. Bokashi uses fermentation rather than decomposition, so it produces no bad smell and handles all food waste including meat and dairy. A 20-litre bokashi bin costs P500 to P1,000 and processes a household's kitchen scraps in 2 weeks. Vermicomposting with a small worm bin also works indoors. Place the bin in a shaded area and feed the worms kitchen scraps weekly. Both methods produce excellent fertilizer without needing outdoor garden space.
