Now that our surprisingly long winter is finally behind us (after what felt like the second, third, and fourth “last frost”), it’s time to get my garden planted! But before I start, I want to make some terra cotta composting pots, an idea I stumbled across on TikTok (credit to TheZenHenandTheHoneyBee for the inspiration!). These little composting pots will (hopefully) give me the best veggies and herbs a girl could ask for while also providing a handy place to toss our eggshells, coffee grounds, and apple cores instead of just throwing them away.

What You’ll Need:

Terra cotta pots with matching saucers for the lids. I found that I had to size up on the saucers because the ones made for the pots didn’t fit quite right.
A masonry drill bit (between 1/2 inch and 1 inch) and a drill. If you're using a smaller pot, you might want to stick to the smaller bit size.
A sink or tub/container of water for soaking the pots before drilling.

And that’s it! Just a few simple materials, and you’ll be ready to make your own in-ground composting pot.

Step 1: Soak the Pots

Before getting started, you'll want to soak your terra cotta pot in water for at least an hour. Since terra cotta is naturally porous, this helps prevent cracking when drilling holes. You’ll want to make sure it’s mostly submerged, especially the areas that you’re going to drill.

Step 2: Drill the Pots

After it’s had time to soak, use a masonry drill bit to create holes around the sides of the pot. The number of holes is up to you, I put 7 in one, and 5 in another. These holes will allow beneficial organisms like worms and microbes to access the compost inside and help break it down while also letting nutrients seep into the soil that surrounds it.

Step 4: Plant the Pots

Once your holes are drilled, dig a hole in your garden and bury the pot, leaving the top edge exposed, for easy access.

Step 5: Fill the Pots

Fill it with compostable scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds (I hear that worms LOVE coffee grounds) and some of the soil in the garden. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, so they don’t attract pests. Place a saucer or lid on top to keep rain, critters, and unwanted debris out while still allowing for airflow.

(I will also be avoiding the onion family, and things like garlic since worms tend to avoid those due to their strong smells and the acidity. I’d advise looking up other things that worms like and don’t like.)

Step 6: Worm Hunting

This last step is crucial! If you’re like me and have raised beds with a protective barrier underneath, worms won’t naturally make their way into your garden. That means you’ll need to go on a little worm-hunting adventure. Check under rocks, logs, and damp soil in your yard (just watch out for other creepy crawlies). Once you’ve gathered some, place them directly into your composting pot. Without worms, the composting process won’t be nearly as effective—so make sure to give them a proper home!

(And if you don’t feel like hunting the worms, I’m sure you can buy them from somewhere. But really, we’re starting gardens to save money.)

Why This Works So Well

This method mimics natural composting but in a way that’s controlled and beneficial to your plants. The small size makes it easy to maintain without the hassle of turning a large compost pile. Plus, it keeps composting localized to the areas where it’s needed most, delivering nutrients directly to your plants' root zones.

Not only is this a simple, low-maintenance way to improve soil health, but it’s also an excellent way to reduce food waste. Instead of tossing scraps into the trash, they get repurposed into something that helps your garden thrive!

Now all I need to do is create a black soldier fly larvae farm, that way I have a place to discard the rest of my scraps, while also coming up with some little snacks for the chickens.

I have even bigger plans for these composting pots that I’m excited to try out in the future, so be sure to check in regularly! You can also sign up for email updates to stay in the loop about new blog posts, videos, upcoming projects, and more.

Do you have any gardening tips that make the process easier or more efficient? I’d love to hear them! And what are your go-to veggies to plant? Drop your favorites in the comments!

If you want to watch the video of me (and my little helper) going through the terra cotta pot process you can find it here: DIY Terra Cotta Compost Pot

DIY Terra Cotta Compost