When you compost you will purchase less peat moss, bark mulch, and bagged manure, and your plants will require less fertilizer. Compost helps the soil hold moisture and reduces water runoff. Your plants will also need less water, thus reducing your water bill. It produces a healthier garden and house plants. By adding compost you improve the fertility and health of the soil.
Healthy plants are disease resistant.
Potting soil for houseplants can be made from compost by mixing equal parts compost and sand or soil. Compost grass clippings, leaves, shrub prunings, flowers, weeds, coffee grounds, wood ash, and fruit and vegetable scraps. Do not compost meat bones, dairy products, fish, greasy foods, dog and cat feces, unchopped woody wastes and diseased plants. Chop materials if you want them to break down easily. Put material in a bin or pile and turn frequently to aerate.