What Can be Composted?

What can be composted? Almost any organic material is suitable for a compost pile, it is just a matter of how long it takes different types of materials to decay.

For instance leaves raked from your garden decay very quickly. To speed up the process you can dry them by laying them in your driveway for a day or so or in a place that they will decompose even faster inside your composter.

Grass clippings are also ideal for your composter as grass decomposes quickly. Try not to mix grass clippings that contain residues from pesticides or herbicides as that can cause problems when it is eventually mixed into your garden soil.

Kitchen waste can also be composted but you should keep it to just eggshells plus all peelings, skin and waste from fruit and vegetables. Don’t dump high fat foods like margarine salad dressings and peanut butter into the mix. Adding meat or oil will also just smell bad and attract pests. You should also remember to crush up the eggshells before you add them to your composting mix.

You can also add pine needles to your list of what can be composted however they need to be manually chopped or shredded before them. Another drawback of using pine needles if that you use to many the waxy coating on them will make your final soil fertilizer too acidic.

If you live near an ocean be sure to add seaweed to your list of what can be composted as they are a potent source of good bacteria and nutrients for your composting mix.