Composting Workshop in Santa Clara: Home Composting Basics

A home compost pile or bin turns many kitchen and yard scraps into a useful soil amendment. The basic idea is straightforward: combine nitrogen-rich “greens,” carbon-rich “browns,” and enough moisture, then give the materials time to break down.

We Start Gardens is hosting a Composting Basics Workshop in Santa Clara on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Eddie Souza Community Garden. The event listing says participants can learn how to start composting at home from UCCE-certified Master Composters.

Start with greens and browns

Greens are materials rich in nitrogen, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings and coffee grounds. Browns are carbon-rich materials such as dry leaves, straw, small woody pieces, cardboard and paper. A mix of both gives the composting process a useful balance.

For a simple starting point, the University of California Cooperative Extension suggests using about two to three volumes of browns for each volume of greens. Another UC Cooperative Extension guide recommends equal amounts by volume. These are practical starting suggestions, not a requirement to measure every handful. If you have plenty of kitchen scraps, add dry leaves or another brown material alongside them.

Keep the pile damp, not soggy

Moisture helps the materials break down, but a pile that stays waterlogged can become unpleasant. The UC Cooperative Extension guide describes a squeeze test: a handful should hold together, with only a few drops of water appearing. If it falls apart, it may be too dry. If water streams out, it is too wet.

When the mix feels very wet, add dry browns. When it feels dry, add water gradually and check again. Chopping or shredding larger pieces can also help them break down more evenly.

What to leave out

For a basic home pile, skip meat, bones, fish, grease and dairy. The UC Cooperative Extension guidance also advises keeping diseased plants and many weeds out of the pile. If you are unsure about a material or which compost setup fits your space, ask a local compost educator before adding it.

Learn with We Start Gardens in Santa Clara

The upcoming workshop is listed for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Eddie Souza Community Garden in Santa Clara. Check the event page for details and RSVP. We Start Gardens also offers hands-on garden classes for different ages and subjects.

For more background, read the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Composting Basics guide or its composting handout.