The three main sources of compost in Block Tales
Compost in Block Tales comes from three places: the Composter block you craft and place yourself, villager trades at the Farmer, and naturally generated compost found in specific biomes and structures. The Composter is the most reliable source because you control when and how much you make. Villager trading works if you have access to a Farmer and the right trade goods. Natural generation is random but requires no crafting or trading.
Each source has different timing and requirements. The Composter takes time to fill and process, villagers may demand items you don't have yet, and natural compost only appears in certain places. Understanding where each type comes from helps you decide which method fits your current game stage.
Key Takeaways
- Craft a Composter from wooden slabs and place it in your base to make compost on demand by feeding it plant materials.
- Farmer villagers trade compost for emeralds, but only if you have already found or earned emeralds through other means.
- Compost generates naturally in some biomes and structures, including swamps, jungles, and certain village buildings, but the amount is limited.
- The Composter is the fastest way to get large amounts of compost once you have wood and plant scraps available.
Crafting and using a Composter block
A Composter is a wooden block you craft from seven wooden slabs arranged in a specific pattern. Place the slabs in a U-shape: three on the bottom row, two on the middle row (left and right sides only), and two on the top row (left and right sides only). This leaves the center open so you can drop items into it.
Once placed, feed the Composter plant-based materials: seeds, leaves, grass, flowers, crops, or saplings. Each item has a different chance to raise the compost level. Seeds and small flowers have about a 30% chance, while larger items like pumpkins and melons have a 100% chance. When the Composter fills completely (after multiple items), it produces one compost block that you can harvest by right-clicking.
The Composter works fastest if you have a steady supply of plant waste. If you farm crops or harvest leaves from trees, feed those scraps to the Composter instead of throwing them away. A single Composter can produce compost continuously as long as you keep feeding it.
Trading with Farmer villagers
Farmer villagers in Block Tales will trade compost for emeralds at a fixed rate. Find a Farmer by locating a village or by curing a zombie villager with the Farmer profession. Once you have a Farmer nearby, open the trade menu and look for the compost trade in their list.
The trade requires emeralds, which you must obtain through mining, fishing, or other trades first. This method is slower than the Composter if you don't already have emeralds, but it's useful if you need compost quickly and have emeralds on hand. Farmers also buy plant materials from you, so you can convert crops into emeralds and then emeralds into compost if needed.
Finding compost in the world
Compost appears naturally in certain biomes and structures. Swamp biomes and jungle biomes have a higher chance of containing compost blocks in the ground or in generated structures. Village buildings, particularly those associated with farming or gardening, sometimes contain compost in chests or as part of the structure itself.
The amount of naturally generated compost is limited and varies by world. This source is useful early in the game when you don't yet have a Composter or access to Farmers, but it should not be your main supply. Treat natural compost as a bonus find rather than a reliable source.
Comparing speed and resource cost
| Source | Time to first compost | Resources needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composter block | 5–15 minutes (after crafting) | 7 wooden slabs + plant scraps | Large, ongoing supply |
| Farmer villager | when ready (if you have emeralds) | Emeralds | Quick single purchases |
| Natural generation | Varies (exploration time) | None | Early game or bonus finds |
Setting up a compost farm for steady supply
If you plan to use compost regularly for gardening or crafting, build multiple Composters in one location. Place them in a row or grid so you can feed them all at once. This multiplies your output without requiring more effort per item.
Pair your Composters with a crop farm nearby. As you harvest crops, when ready feed the waste (seeds, stems, leaves) to the Composters. This creates a closed loop where farming naturally supplies compost production. Over time, you'll accumulate enough compost to use freely without worrying about running out.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not waste valuable items on the Composter. Only feed it plant scraps and materials you would otherwise discard. Seeds, leaves, and crop stems are ideal; never put rare items or crafting materials into a Composter.
Do not assume one Composter is enough if you use compost frequently. A single Composter produces slowly, so plan for multiple blocks if you're building large gardens or using compost for multiple projects. Also, remember that the Composter requires plant materials to work—if you don't farm or harvest leaves, you won't have a steady supply to feed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up the Composter by putting items in faster?
No. The Composter processes one item at a time and produces compost only when completely full, regardless of how quickly you feed it. Adding items faster does not change the output rate. The only way to produce more compost is to build additional Composters.
What plant materials give the best chance to fill the Composter?
Pumpkins, melons, and hay bales have a 100% chance to raise the compost level. Crops like wheat and carrots have a 65% chance. Seeds and small flowers have about 30%. Mix high-chance items with low-chance items to fill the Composter efficiently.
Do I need to find a village to get compost?
No. You can craft a Composter from wood slabs alone and produce compost without ever finding a village. Villages and Farmers are optional—they just offer an alternative if you have emeralds and want compost when ready instead of waiting for the Composter to fill.
Can I get compost from fishing or mining?
No. Compost does not appear in fishing catches or mining drops. Your only sources are the Composter block, Farmer trades, and naturally generated compost in biomes and structures.