Backyardcomposting

Do'sAlternate layers of nitrogen-rich greens and carbon-rich browns.

great greens• Vegetablepeelings

• Rottenfruit

• Coffeegrounds

• Tealeaves

best browns• Dryleaves,grass,andplantstalks

• Shreddednewsprint(non-toxicsonly)orbrownpaper(e.g.paperbags)

• Cut-upcardboards(recyclelargepieces)

• Otherpaper(unbleachedpapertowels,napkins,etc. — wetisokay,notgreasy)

also add• Rinsed,crushedeggshells

• Pethair,tohelpdiscouragerodents

did you know?Finally — ausefordryerlint!Addittoyourcompostpileasoneofyour“browns.”Besuretouselintfrombiodegradablefibreslikeorganiccottonratherthansynthetics.

photo: gardening in a minute via flickr

did you know?ComposthasahighpHwithhighlevelsofnutrientsthatmanyplantscrave.

Don'tsavoid adding• Oils and fats, bread products, rice and pasta, sauces,

dairy products, nuts, fish and meat, or bones.Thesewillcauseodourproblemsandattractpests.

• Dog or cat feces, kitty litter, and human waste.Meat-eatinganimalsmaycarrydiseases,andkittylittermaycontainchemicals.

• Weeds with mature seeds.Whenyouspreadthecompost,you’llspreadtheweedstoo.

• Treated wood products.Thesemaycontainharmfulchemicals.

david suzuk i ’s

Compostingischeapandeasy,anditturnsalmosthalfofyourgarbageintoplantfood!Tryrakingitoveryourgrassandspreadingitaroundshrubs,trees,andflowers.Ordigitintothesoilofvegetablebedsbeforeyouplant.

do's and don'ts

photo: looseends via flickr

Tips in the kitchen• Cutfoodscrapsintosmallerpiecesforfaster

decomposition.

• Aglassormetalcontainerforcollectingkitchenwastewon’thangontoodoursthewayplasticsdo.Atight-fittinglidwillkeepthefruitfliesout.

• Ifthefruitfliesbotheryou,storefoodscrapsinthefridgeorfreezer.

outside• Selectalevel,partiallyshadedspotwithgoodwater

drainageforyourbin.Placeit20to30cmawayfromwalls,fences,bushes,doors,andwindows.

• Wheneveryouaddafoodlayer(greenoreggshells),topitwithbrowns.

• Thebeneficialmicroorganismsinyourcompostpileneedoxygen.Leavelotsofairspaceinyourbin,andmixthecontentseveryweekortwo.

• Collectdryleavesandgrassinaseparate,drycontainer.Thenyoucanaddthemyear-round.

• Compostisgenerallyreadytouseafterafewmonths.

• Don’tbealarmedifyourpilesteamsorstinks — thatmeansmaterialsaredecomposing.

• Ifyou’remakingyourownbin,theideasizeisaboutonecubicmetre.

did you know?Compostcontributesmorenutrientstoyouryardandgardenthansterilizedpeatmoss.

Troubleshootingcompost pile is wet and stinky• Problem:Toomanygreens

• Solution:Addbrowns,turnpile,andputscrapsinthecentreofthepile.

pile is dry• Problem:Toomanybrownsandnotenoughwater

• Solution:Addfreshkitchenscraps.Moistenthepilewithwaterandcovertoreduceevaporation.

pile is cold• Problem:Lackofnitrogen

• Solution:Addgreens.

compost is attracting pests (rodents, raccoons, etc.)• Problem:Impropermaterialsadded,and

insufficientcoverage

• Solution:Useapest-resistantbin.Avoidaddinggrease,oils,meats,andbreads.

compost is attracting fruit flies• Problem:Foodscrapsareexposed

• Solution:Putkitchenscrapsincentreofpileandcovergreenswithbrowns.

did you know?Organicwastethatendsupinthelandfillwilldecomposewithoutoxygenandproducemethane,agreenhousegas.

photo: thierry marysael via flickr

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