Published on March 03, 2023

A Beginner’s Guide to Edible Gardening & Composting

composting

By: Rebecca Tran, MS, RDN

Do you ever think about where your food comes from? Or for that matter have you considered where your food waste goes after you throw it out? As we look at sustainable food choices, the origin of our food and the destination of our food waste are important matters to address. Decreasing our intake of meat and animal products is an important way to decrease emission of greenhouse gases, but the emissions created from processing, transporting, and packaging of even plant-based foods need to be considered as well. Resources used in this supply chain can be reduced when we grow some of our own food and compost our food scraps. This beginner’s guide on these topics will get you started in learning how these practices can be integrated into your lifestyle.

Growing your own food can feel intimidating but Master Gardener and Coordinator of Torrance Memorial’s Garden Program, Judi Gerber, says that with a good plan you can do it! Gerber recommends evaluating what you like and want to eat, and then learning how and when to plant it. When she teaches about edible gardening, Gerber instructs her students to select a site based on the needs of the plants they want to grow. Considerations might include if they need sun or shade, assessing the soil condition, and considering the size and convenience of the location. When selecting plants, you’ll need to decide on seeds vs. transplants and learn as much as you can about how to care for each plant’s individual needs. Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining your edible garden with weeding, pest control, and consistent irrigation being important components. Harvesting at the proper time is also a key element of edible gardening for optimal taste and garden health, according to Gerber.

Composting, which is the process of breaking down organic matter such as food scraps and yard trimmings into a nutrient-rich substance called compost, can contribute to maintaining healthy and fertile soil for plants to thrive in. The composting process is simple and can be scaled down to fit in your own backyard.

Here are some of the basics of composting that you will need to know:

  • There are several types of compost bins to choose, from tumblers to wire mesh or wooden bins. Your choice should reflect the amount of material you plan to compost and your available space.
  • Composting materials should be balanced between green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. A good balance will help the composting process to happen more quickly and efficiently.
  • Maintaining your compost involves turning regularly, keeping proper moisture levels, and adding materials as needed to uphold the proper balance of green and brown materials.
  • Once mature, your compost can be used to enhance your soil, added to “compost tea” to water plants, used as a nutrient-rich bottom layer for raised garden beds, or sprinkled on your lawn. 

With this beginner’s guide to edible gardening and composting, you now have a starting point for incorporating these practices at home. Both gardening and composting can be rewarding processes that not only have benefits for you and your health but for the environment as well.

If you want to learn more, we invite you to watch the “Gardening and Composting Skills Videos” by Master Gardener Judi Gerber and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kristen Hung, MPH, RDN to learn more about these topics.

Grow What You Eat

Learn all about why and how to start your own edible garden from Master Gardener Judi Gerber and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kristen Hung in this video.

Composting

Interested in composting but don’t know where to begin? Learn the basics and benefits of composting from Master Gardener Judi Gerber and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kristen Hung in this video. 

If you have questions or are interested in learning more techniques to help build a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, contact one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists at the Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy Office or our Diabetes Self-Management Program located in the Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335, Torrance. Call 310-891-6707. Visit Torrance Memorial's Nutrition Webpages for upcoming classes and programs!