Composting 101: What Can You Compost?

Are you tired of throwing away food scraps and yard waste? Composting is an eco-friendly solution that can help you reduce waste and create rich soil for your garden. But what exactly can you compost? In this blog post, we'll go over everything you need to know about composting.

The Basics of Composting

Before we dive into what you can compost, let's cover the basics of composting. First, you'll need a compost bin or pile where you can store your organic materials. This can be as simple as a bin made from wire mesh or a more elaborate system with multiple compartments.

To make compost, you'll need a combination of "greens" and "browns." Greens are nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. Browns are carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, straw, and shredded paper.

Mixing greens and browns in your compost bin will create the perfect environment for beneficial bacteria and fungi to break down the organic matter into nutrient-rich soil.

What Can You Compost?

Now that you know the basics of composting, let's talk about what you can actually compost. Here are some of the most common materials that can be composted:

Fruit and Vegetable Scraps

Fruit and vegetable scraps are some of the most common items that can be composted. This includes things like apple cores, banana peels, carrot tops, and potato skins. These scraps are high in nitrogen and will break down quickly in your compost bin.

Coffee Grounds and Tea Bags

Coffee grounds and tea bags are also great additions to your compost bin. They provide nitrogen and help balance the carbon-heavy browns in your compost.

Eggshells

Eggshells are another great addition to your compost pile. They break down slowly and provide calcium to your soil.

Grass Clippings

Grass clippings are a fantastic source of nitrogen for your compost. However, be careful not to add too many at once, as they can create a slimy, smelly mess if they're not balanced out with enough browns.

Leaves

Leaves are an excellent source of carbon for your compost. Shred them up before adding them to your pile to speed up the decomposition process.

Shredded Paper and Cardboard

Shredded paper and cardboard are great sources of carbon for your compost. Just make sure to avoid adding any glossy or colored paper, as it may contain harmful chemicals.

Nuts and Shells

Nuts and shells can be added to your compost pile, but they will take longer to break down than other materials.

Wood Chips and Sawdust

Wood chips and sawdust can be added to your compost pile, but they should be used sparingly as they can take a long time to decompose.

Cotton and Wool

Cotton and wool can be composted, but it's best to cut them into small pieces first to speed up the decomposition process.

Manure

Manure is a great source of nitrogen for your compost pile, but it should be aged for at least six months before being added to your garden to avoid burning your plants.

Seaweed

Seaweed is an excellent source of micronutrients for your soil. Rinse it off before adding it to your compost pile.

Human and Pet Hair

Human and pet hair can be composted, but they take a long time to decompose and should be cut into small pieces first.

What Not to Compost

While there are many things you can compost, there are also some materials that should never be added to your compost pile. These include:

• Dairy products
• Meat and bones
• Fats and oils
• Charcoal ash
• Plastic or synthetic materials
• Anything treated with pesticides or herbicides

Troubleshooting Your Compost Pile

If your compost pile isn't breaking down as quickly as you'd like, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Too Wet

If your compost pile is too wet, add more browns (like dried leaves or shredded paper) to balance out the moisture.

Too Dry

If your compost pile is too dry, add more greens (like food scraps or grass clippings) to increase the moisture.

Not Hot Enough

If your compost pile isn't heating up, it may not have enough nitrogen-rich greens. Add more greens to get the temperature up.

Smelly

If your compost pile is smelly, it may be too wet or not getting enough air. Turn the pile regularly to ensure that it's getting enough oxygen.

Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. By following the tips in this guide, you can compost a wide variety of materials and troubleshoot any issues that come up along the way.

FAQs

1. Can I compost citrus peels?

Yes, citrus peels can be composted, but they may take longer to break down than other fruit and vegetable scraps.

2. Can I compost paper towels?

Yes, as long as they don't have any synthetic materials or chemicals on them.

3. Can I compost cooked food?

Yes, cooked food can be composted, but it's best to avoid adding large quantities at once as they can attract pests.

4. How long does it take for compost to be ready?

Compost can take anywhere from several months to a year to be fully broken down and ready to use in your garden.

5. Can I use compost in indoor plants?

Yes, compost can be used in indoor plants as long as it's well-aged and doesn't contain any pathogens or harmful chemicals.