The Secret History in Your Compost Pile

Every time you turn your compost, you're doing something people have done for thousands of years. It’s not a new trend, but a smart tradition passed down by generations who knew that feeding the soil was the best way to feed themselves.

Believe it or not, composting is probably as old as farming. We've found clay tablets from Mesopotamia talking about using manure on crops. Even the ancient Romans were in on it; writers like Cato the Elder wrote instructions for aging manure piles. All over the world, from Egypt to China, different cultures figured out the same thing: letting organic waste break down created a rich, dark material that brought life back to the soil.

Here in the Americas, many Native American tribes had their own smart methods. You might have heard of burying fish with crops like corn. This was a brilliant way to feed the plants all season long, ensuring a good harvest from the same garden spot, year after year.

It wasn't until the early 1900s that scientists started to study this old-school wisdom. Pioneers like Sir Albert Howard learned from traditional farmers in India to develop composting methods that are still used today. He helped put the science behind what good farmers already knew: healthy soil is the starting point for everything.

So today, when you're looking at your backyard piles and worm bins, know that you're carrying on an important tradition. Turning kitchen scraps and leaves into compost connects you to that simple, powerful cycle of renewal. It’s a nod to our farming past and a practical step toward a healthier future, for the next generation and beyond.