The Basics

Posted by admin on Jun 2, 2022 in BLOG | Comments Off on The Basics

Composting can occur inside or outside your home. This can be in a bin or simply in a pile on the ground. Before you chose what method of composting you would like to use, here are the very basics you need to understand before you start.

You need the following components to have a good composting system:

1. Browns- twigs, leaves, or branches that allow carbon to be broken down into your composting system.
2. Greens- Kitchen Scraps (certain exclusions apply), lawn clippings, or coffee grounds that allow nitrogen to be added to your mix.
3. Water- Water adds moisture to your composting pile that allows for the other contents to be broken down.

Having all three of these components is essential to having a healthy composting pile. A good pile should not attract bugs, animals, or have odors. Common ways to address these problems will be discussed later on.

Here is a longer list of what can and cannot be composted.

Can:

1. Fruits and Vegetables
2. Eggshells (do not put the whole egg in your pile)
3. Coffee grounds
4. Tea Bags
5. Nut Shells
6. Shredded Newspaper (is a brown item)
7. Cardboard (is a brown item)
8. Paper (is a brown item)
9. Yard Trimmings
10. Grass Clippings
11. Houseplants
12. Hay and Straw
13. Leaves
14. Sawdust
15. Woodchips
16. Hair and Fur

Can’t:

1. Dairy Products
2. Complete Eggs
3. Meat
4. Fish
5. Fats
6. Grease
7. Black Walnut Tree Leaves or Twigs
8. Coal or Charcoal Ashes
9. Diseased or Insect Ridden Plants
10. Lard or Oils
11. Pet Waste
12. Yard Chemicals or Pesticides

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