Composting at Home
What is compost?
Compost is a soil-like material. It is created when microbes break down food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings. Compost has many benefits:
- Rich in plant food
- Holds more water than regular soil
- Reduces the need for fertilizers and weed killers
Composting is a great way to reduce your trash. It is important to compost the right way.
Backyard composting
Your city may have rules for composting at home, like how far compost bins need to be from property lines. Contact your city before you start composting in your backyard.
- Set up your compost bin. You can purchase compost bins online, in many garden stores or you cand build your own.
- Add the right materials to the bin.
- Mix up the contents occasionally.
- Use your compost on plants and other projects.
Discounted compost bins
Each year, the Recycling Association of Minnesota provides Dakota County residents a discount on compost bins and rain barrels. The sale for 2026 is over. Details for next year will be available early 2027.
Learn about the advantages of rain barrels.
Some materials work better than others. Start with three handfuls of brown ingredients for every one handful of green ingredients.
Browns:
- Dried leaves, garden debris, plant trimmings
- Straw and hay
- Wood (in small amounts): saw dust, wood chips, sticks
- Pine needles (in small amounts) and pine cones
- Paper egg cartons (remove labels)
- Tissues, paper towels and napkins
Greens:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Egg shells
- Coffee grounds
Do not add these items to your backyard compost. They can attract rodents or spread bacteria and plant diseases.
- Meat, bones, fish and dairy
- Fats: cooking oil and grease
- Feces: Pet and human
- Diseased plants & weeds that have gone to seed
- Ash from charcoal or coal
- Large pieces of wood
- Mix compost in with your soil.
- Use it to fill in low spots in your yard.
- Use it as mulch for landscaping and garden plants.
- Use small amounts in indoor plant soil.
University of Minnesota Extension - Composting in home gardens
United States Environmental Protection Agency - Composting at home