Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste, enrich your garden soil, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. But what exactly can you compost? The answer might surprise you! In this blog post, we’ll explore a wide range of items you can compost, along with ideas on how to compost them effectively.
1. Fruit and Vegetable Scraps:
- Fruit peels and cores
- Vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea leaves and bags (remove staples)
Composting Tip: These kitchen scraps are excellent for composting. Create a dedicated container in your kitchen for easy collection.
2. Yard Waste:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Small branches and twigs
- Pruned plants
Composting Tip: Shred or chop larger yard waste items to speed up decomposition.
3. Paper Products:
- Newspaper
- Cardboard (cut into small pieces)
- Paper towels and napkins (unbleached, non-glossy)
- Shredded office paper
Composting Tip: Use paper products as a brown (carbon-rich) component to balance your compost.
4. Eggshells:
- Crushed eggshells add calcium to your compost and help balance pH levels.
Composting Tip: Rinse eggshells and let them dry before adding them to your compost bin.
5. Dairy and Bread:
- Stale bread
- Spoiled milk and dairy products
Composting Tip: Bury these items deep in your compost pile to deter pests.
6. Garden Debris:
- Weeds (without seeds)
- Dead plants
- Pine needles
Composting Tip: Avoid adding weeds with seeds, as they can sprout in your compost.
7. Dry Leaves:
- Fallen leaves are a great carbon source and help maintain airflow in your compost pile.
Composting Tip: Mix leaves with other materials to avoid matting and improve decomposition.
8. Wood Chips and Sawdust:
- Unfinished wood and sawdust can be used as a brown component.
Composting Tip: Don’t use pressure-treated or painted wood, as they may contain harmful chemicals.
9. Nut Shells:
- Crushed nutshells like peanuts and walnuts can be composted.
Composting Tip: Ensure they are broken down into smaller pieces for faster decomposition.
10. Houseplant Trimmings: – Pruned leaves and stems from indoor plants
Composting Tip: These can be a valuable addition to your compost, but avoid adding diseased plant material.
11. Pet Hair and Fur: – Fur from grooming your pets
Composting Tip: Mix pet hair with other compostable materials to prevent matting.
12. Natural Fibers: – 100% cotton or wool fabric scraps
Composting Tip: Cut or tear fabric into small pieces for faster decomposition.
13. Wood Ash: – Wood ash from your fireplace or wood stove
Composting Tip: Use wood ash sparingly, as it can raise the pH of your compost.
Remember to avoid composting items like meat, bones, dairy products (other than spoiled milk), and pet waste, as they can attract pests and lead to unpleasant odors. Additionally, maintaining the right balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials is key to successful composting.
Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste and nurture your garden. Experiment with different materials and composting methods to find what works best for you. Happy composting!
Start Composting - Everything you need to know about composting 