Summer Composting Secrets: Feeding Your Soil When It’s Hot Out
How I Keep My Garden Nourished with Direct Composting During the Hottest Months
By the time midsummer hits, my compost bucket is filling faster than I can eat the garden’s bounty. Cherry tomatoes split from the heat. Basil goes wild. The kitchen scraps multiply. And instead of hauling it to a pile or bin, I walk out to the garden barefoot, trowel in hand, and tuck those scraps right into the soil.
No turning. No stinking. No problem.
That’s the magic of direct composting—especially in summer.
My Low-Effort Summer Compost Routine
When I first started gardening, I thought composting had to look a certain way: big bins, turning piles, perfect layers of browns and greens, and always somewhere else in the yard. But honestly? That never really fit my energy—or the size of my space.
Then I learned about direct composting, which felt like a breath of fresh (and slightly banana-scented) air. You feed your soil in place—where it matters most.
During the summer, this method shines. The warmth accelerates decomposition. The microbial activity in the soil is already in high gear. And if you’re composting right into garden beds like I do, it’s like your plants get little surprise meals all season long.
Here’s how I do it:
How I Direct Compost in Summer (Step-by-Step)
1. Pick a spot in the garden that could use a boost.
I compost in between rows, near thirsty plants, or in beds I’ve already harvested. Anywhere that isn’t too crowded or actively growing root crops.
2. Dig a small hole about 6 to 8 inches deep.
I like to use my hori hori knife or just a big spoon if the soil’s soft enough. Honestly, I’ve used my hands more times than I care to admit.
3. Add your kitchen scraps.
In summer, my compost bucket is full of fruit bits, veggie peels, spent tea bags, and coffee grounds. I try to avoid things that might attract raccoons or wasps, like oily leftovers or meat scraps.
4. Chop things up if I have time (but no guilt if I don’t).
Smaller bits break down faster—but if it’s a sweaty afternoon and I’m out there in flip-flops, I just bury it and let the worms figure it out.
5. Cover it back up and water if the soil is dry.
Moisture is key for decomposition, and dry, cracked midsummer beds sometimes need a little extra love. Even a splash from the watering can helps.
Why Summer Makes It Even Easier
Summer composting feels almost like cheating—in the best way. The heat helps break down scraps quickly. The soil stays warm even at night. It’s like nature is running her own low-energy compost cooker under the surface.
I’ll often check a spot I composted in two weeks earlier and find barely a trace of what I buried. It’s already been transformed. What was once apple cores and cucumber ends becomes part of the soil’s living system. That blows my mind a little every time.
My Real-Life Compost “Map”
I like to treat my garden beds like a clock face. One week I compost at 12 o’clock, the next week at 3 o’clock, and so on. By the time I make it full circle, the original spot is ready again—broken down and teeming with life. This rhythm helps me avoid overloading any one area and makes it easy to remember where I’ve already fed the soil.
What I’ve Learned (a Few Humble Tips)
Your soil is always hungry. Especially in summer, when everything is growing fast and asking for nutrients.
Direct composting builds fertility right where you need it. Instead of composting “over there” and then moving it later, you’re skipping the middleman.
Critters are less of a problem than I expected. As long as you bury the scraps well and avoid meat, cheese, and greasy food, it’s surprisingly tidy—even in the heat.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. There are weeks I forget, or I dump a whole load of peach pits into one hole because I just don’t want to deal. That’s fine. Nature is incredibly forgiving.
A Bonus: Built-In Moisture & Mulch
What I didn’t realize until later was how much direct composting helps with summer watering. Those food scraps hold onto moisture. They act like a sponge in the soil, which keeps roots cooler and beds from drying out so quickly. Some days, that’s enough to buy me an extra day between waterings.
And when I combine composting with a layer of straw, old leaves, or even pulled weeds as mulch? Chef’s kiss. My soil stays soft and damp while the rest of the world bakes.
The Real Gift of Summer Composting
Every time I bury a handful of kitchen scraps, I feel like I’m tucking something into bed. It’s a quiet offering. It’s one less thing in the trash. It’s one more act of care for the soil that’s feeding me all summer long.
And honestly? It feels like a little ritual—something grounding and good in a season that often feels too fast, too hot, too full.
So if your compost bin is overflowing or you just can’t be bothered to turn a pile in 30°C weather… consider letting your soil do the work instead.
Your garden will thank you.
Love this. Had no idea you could do this. Great when you have too many scraps and the bin is full.
I hate to throw any scraps away. Definitely will try this. Thank you!