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Water - One of the most common mistakes in composting is letting the mixture gettoo dry. Your compost should be as moist as a wrung-out
sponge. A moisture content of 40-60% is preferable. To test for adequate moisture, reach into your compost tumbler and grab a handful of material
and squeeze it; if a few drops of water come out, it probably has enough moisture, if it doesn't, add water. It is best to insert a hose into the mixture
so that you aren't just wetting the top. Excess water will drain out through the ventilation openings. Keep it moist, but not wet.
Air - The bacteria and fungus that are in your compost pile need oxygen to live and work. If your pile is too dense or becomes too wet, the air
supply to the inside is cut off and the beneficial organisms die. Decomposition will slow and an offensive odor may arise. To avoid this and speed
the process, turn the tumbler every 1-2 days. This is also a good time to add shredded leaves from your stash. Opening the lid for a few hours can
also help remove excess moisture.
Just remember that all organic material breaks down. Even if you just toss your yard debris into a hole in the ground, it will eventually turn into
compost. It's not the end of the world if you take a step in the wrong direction. See TROUBLESHOOTING for more detailed information.
NOTE: Particle size has a lot to do with the speed of decomposition. The more surface area the microorganisms have to work on, the faster the materials
decompose. Chop or shred the larger materials into smaller pieces. If you don't have a shredder for your dry leaves and small twigs, try running the
lawn mower over them before you add them to the pile.
BASIC NITROGEN / CARBON CHART
Material
Carbon/Nitrogen
Info
Table scraps
Nitrogen
Add with dry carbon items.
Fruit & vegetable scraps
Nitrogen
Add with dry carbon items.
Chicken/rabbit manure
Nitrogen
Excellent compost 'activator', use in moderation.
Coffee grounds
Nitrogen
Filters may also be included.
Tea leaves
Nitrogen
Loose or in bags.
Grass clippings
Nitrogen
Add in thin layers so they don't mat into clumps and putrefy.
Garden plants
Nitrogen
Use disease-free plants only.
Lawn & garden weeds
Nitrogen
Only use weeds which have not gone to seed.
Flowers, cuttings
Nitrogen
Chop up any long woody stems.
Seaweed and kelp
Nitrogen
Rinse first; good source for trace minerals.
Eggshells
Neutral
Best when crushed.
Leaves
Carbon
Leaves break down faster when shredded.
Straw or hay
Carbon
Straw is best; hay (with seeds) is less ideal.
Pine needles
Carbon
Acidic; use in moderate amounts.
Wood ash
Carbon
Only use ash from clean materials; sprinkle lightly.
Cardboard
Carbon
Shred material to avoid matting.
Com cobs, stalks
Carbon
Slow to decompose; best if chopped up.
Dryer lint
Carbon
Best if from natural fibers.
Wood chips
Carbon
High carbon content can overwhelm, and shut down, an otherwise good compost batch; use sparingly.
Sawdust
Carbon
High carbon content can overwhelm, and shut down, an otherwise good compost batch; use sparingly.
Be sure Sawdust is clean, with no machine oil or chain oil residues from cutting equipment. Do not use
sawdust from painted or treated lumber.
Do Not Add These Ingredients To Your Compost Pile:
Meat, fish, animal fats and bones - These foods ferment or putrefy, cause odors, and can attract flies, rodents and nocturnal animals that can be
pests.
Fatty foods such as dairy products, sauces, salad dressing, and cooking oil - These foods ferment or putrefy, cause odors, and can attract flies,
rodents and nocturnal animals that can be pests.
Shredded newspapers or office paper — Recycle them instead. The paper very
likely contains chemicals that are not good for your compost.
Ashes from your BBQ grill - Wood ashes can be very useful in small quantities. But, never put BBQ grill ashes into your compost pile.
Dog and cat feces — Too much risk of adding nasty diseases, not to mention the unpleasant odor! Chicken, horse, cow, and rabbit manure is fine,
in moderation.
Perennial weeds that have gone to seed or diseased plants - They can be spread with the compost.
Cooked or canned foods that contain salt - Salt kills the organisms composting your waste.
Any part of the Black Walnut tree - It contains a chemical that will stunt or prevent the growth of some plants, tomatoes in particular.
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