What goes in to the Backyard Compost?
All composting “ingredients” generally fall under one of two categories – “browns” or “greens”. “Browns” are dry, carbon-rich organic materials which include dry leaves, straw/hay, wood chips, sawdust, napkins, dryer lint, and shredded newspaper. “Greens” are fresh, moist, nitrogen-rich materials which include grass cuttings, fruit and vegetable peelings/scraps, tea bags, pasta, coffee grounds/filter, stale bread and eggshells. Do not place the following in your backyard composter: Meat, fish, bones, fats and oils, dairy products, weeds that have gone to seed, pet manure and kitty litter. Where do I start? The composter should ideally be located in a shady or partially shaded site, convenient to the house. Place a layer (15 cm) of brown material and a handful of soil in your composter. Alternate layers of green and brown material in your composter. Always cover kitchen waste with brown material. It’s a good idea to stockpile bags of leaves or other brown material in the fall, for this
