|
Below is a list of materials commonly added to home compost piles. They are divided into two basic
categories: Carbon and Nitrogen. Materials high in carbon tend to be dry whereas materials
high in nitrogen tend to be wet. The basic strategy is to add both types equally and in layers,
always ending with carbon.
| CARBON (dry) |
|
NITROGEN (wet) |
| leaves |
|
grass clippings |
| hay/straw |
|
weeds |
| corn stalks |
|
manure |
| saw dust |
|
vegetable/fruit scraps |
| wood ashes |
|
coffee grounds & filters |
| cotton/wool rags* |
|
teas bags |
| newspaper* |
|
egg shells |
| *Note: shred first, then add in small quantities. |
Any organic material will decompose, but it is a good idea not to add materials to a compost bin that will
take a long time to decompose or that will attract animals.
| Do NOT add the following to your home compost pile.
|
|
| grease/oil |
dead animals |
| diseased plants |
fatty foods |
| dog/cat wastes |
pesticide-treated plants |
| meats |
human wastes |
| treated wood |
coal ashes |
| bones |
large amounts of pine needles |
|
