Composting is one of the most powerful things you can do for your garden and for the planet. It turns food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that plants love  and keeps organic material out of landfills where it produces methane.
What Can You Compost?
You can compost most food scraps: vegetable peels, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, and cooked rice. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods in a basic home compost system, as they can attract pests and create odors.
The Basic Layering System
Layer 'greens' (nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps, fresh grass clippings) with 'browns' (carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, cardboard, paper). Aim for roughly equal parts by volume. Keep it moist but not soggy, and turn it every few weeks.
When Is It Ready?
Compost is ready when it looks dark, crumbly, and smells like earth. In a tropical climate, this can happen in as little as 4-6 weeks. Use it to top-dress garden beds, mix into potting soil, or make compost tea for your plants.