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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
Formoreinformation,gotoqueenofgreen.ca