Compost Basics

Compost basics: browns and greens, moisture, turning, and what not to put in a home pile.

The three things a pile needs

Carbon (browns), nitrogen (greens), and air plus moisture. Without air it smells; without moisture it stalls; without enough nitrogen it stays cold. Turn the pile when the centre cools, and chop materials smaller to speed breakdown. Use the compost ratio calculator for a starting mix.