What if I told you that you can have all the benefits of compost without the bin? Trench compositing doesn’t require a lot of space and it allows gardeners to fertilize their soil without having what some consider an eyesore in their yard. 

The process of creating your trench is incredibly easy. Simply dig a trench 12 inches deep in your garden and fill it half way with kitchen scraps. Fruits and vegetables are great for adding nutrients and moisture to your soil. We suggest avoiding putting bread products, oils, meat, dairy, saw dust, human waste, and rice in your compost. Also, be careful not to compost weeds in your trench, they could sprout up in your garden! Once you have your food scraps in your trench, fill the rest of the hole with soil and let nature do its thing. 

Each year move your compost trench to a different part of the garden. Begin by dividing your garden into three spaces: Zone A, B, and C. Zone A will house your compost trench while B and C will be your walking space and plants. After year 1, move your compost trench to Zone C and your plants to Zone B. By year 3 you should be digging your compost trench in Zone B and planting in Zone A. This ensures your compost is evenly dispersed below your garden. After year three, begin the process again. 

You can also place compost trenches between evenly-spaced plant crops, along shrub boarders, and around flowers and vegetable plants.