Composting Dos and Don’ts:
What Can You Compost? |
What Can’t You Compost? |
| GREENS (N) (Nitrogenous):
Grass clippings Spent flowers and plants Table scraps Eggshells (crushed) Fruit scraps Vegetable scraps Coffee and tea grounds Vegetarian animal manure (e.g., that of cows and chickens) BROWNS (C) (Carbonaceous): Dry leaves Sawdust Shredded newspaper* Straw Small twigs Wood chips and shavings Corncobs Cornstalks Hay Nutshells * Newspapers and paper can be added in small crumpled amounts, but it is better to recycle them if you can. |
Meat
Fat Bones Fish Dairy products Pet or human waste Stones Metal Plastic Large branches or wood chips Diseased plants or weeds |
Heat - the ideal heat for composting is between 60-70 degrees.
Air -Since germs need ventilation it is recommended to turn your compost at least once a day
Humidity-Optimal compost humidity levels are 50%-60% - to check your compost humidity level – reach in to the middle of the compost – if it is moist, your compost is in good shape.
C:N Ratio -The Carbon-Nitrogen ratio should be 25-30:1. Not enough nitrogen will slow the compost process, and not enough carbon will create bad smells in the compost (brown colored materials are rich in carbon,green colored materials are rich in nitrogen)