What is Composting?
Composting is the process of turning kitchen and yard waste into usable, nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. Inside the composter, organic waste is broken down through a controlled process by microorganisms. By utilizing the correct material, these microorganisms will create a soil product that is incredibly nutrient dense and great for your garden plants.
What are the benefits
- Diverts food and yard waste from the landfill, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Creates an enriched soil which can be used in your garden
- Suppresses plant diseases and pests
- Saves you money by reducing the need for chemical fertilizer
Compost Use
- Amend your garden soil by working compost into it
- Sprinkle compost on your lawn to foster healthy and robust soil
- Improve the soil around trees and shrubs by spreading compost near the root zone (leave 4” clear around the trunk)
Composting requires a mix of nitrogen and carbon to create the proper setting for decomposition. Green waste such as food scraps, bring nitrogen whereas brown waste, leaves and paper products, add carbon to the mix.
Green
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Crushed egg shells
- Coffee grounds
- Filters
- Grass clippings
- Houseplants
Brown
- Shredded cardboard
- Shredded black and white newspaper
- Hay
- Straw
- Wood chips
- Shredded cotton & wool rags
- Nuts
- Shells
- Bread
- Grains
- Yard trimmings
- Leaves
- Hair
- Fur
Not for Composting
- Meat
- Bones,
- Fats
- Grease
- Lard
- Oils
- Dairy (butter, milk, eggs)
- Diseased plants
- Charcoal ashes
- Toxic materials
- non-compostable materials
- Cat or dog waste
- Litter