Like all of us, the organisms at work in your compost need three things in order to survive: Air, Water and Food.
Air
In order to do their work quickly and efficiently, the microorganisms in your pile
require an adequate supply of oxygen. Without it, anaerobic organisms (organisms that do not require oxygen) can take over
your pile, producing a very nasty odor. Turning your pile now and again will ensure that it gets the air it needs.
Water
As a general rule of thumb, your pile should be “as damp as a wet sponge”
– moist to the touch but not releasing water when squeezed.
Food
Feed the organisms in your pile a “balanced diet” equally rich in carbon and nitrogen. One part “Browns”
to one part “Greens” should do it. “Browns” tend to be woody materials such as autumn leaves, shredded
newspaper and corn cobs that are high in carbon. “Greens” are nitrogen-rich and include garden refuse like grass
clippings and weeds, food scraps and manure.
Dos and Don'ts
Use these ingredients for composting:
Green:
Bone meal
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Feathers
Flowers
Fruits and fruit peels
Grass clippings (fresh)
Hair
Manure
Tea leaves
Vegetables and peels
Weeds
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Brown:
Coffee filters
Corn cobs
Grass clippings (dried)
Hay
Leaves (dead)
Paper
(shredded)
Peat moss
Pine needles
Sawdust
Straw
Tea bags
Wood chips
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