Dunedin Does Compost

Composting 101

Greens

Greens are nitrogen rich and should make up 40% of your compost pile. Examples of greens are:
• fruit and veggie scraps • egg shells • citrus rinds • onions • seeds • seaweed • tea and tea bags • grains • fermented foods • moldy breads • moldy fruits • garden and house plants • yard waste • grass clippings • wood ashes • manure.

Browns

Browns are carbon rich and should make up 60% of your compost pile. Examples of browns are:
• dead leaves • mulch • pine needles • sticks and branches • oak leaves • old potting soil • wood cutlery • paperboard • paper towels • cardboard • newspaper • white paper • human or pet hair.

Do NOT Compost:

• weeds • coal ash • discolored paper and cardboard • diseased plants • meat, bones, fish • inorganic materials • pet feces • any plant or grass treated with pesticide or herbicide • walnut and black walnut products • dairy • glossy paper • salt.

Having Problems?

• Unpleasant Smell - Excess moisture, excess green materials or not enough air. Potentially add browns to your compost and turn pile.
• Pests Around Pile - Smell is attracting animals. Add more browns, turn pile, keep covered with a lid or a tarp.
• Slow Decomposition - Pile isn't changing/ unbalanced conditions. Add coffee grounds, do not squeeze test for moisture.
• Temperature Fluctuation - Pile size, moisture, or circulation issues. If the pile is too hot, reduce the size and turn. If the pile is too cold, increase the size, aeration and moisture.
• Dry Pile - Powdery or flaky appearance. Add moisture, turn pile and add moisture until consistency of a damp sponge.

1. Select a System

• Closed container like a tumbler.
• Open bin or pile.
• Worm bin.

2. Gather Your Brown

• Browns are your key to successful composting.
• They form the base and the lid.
• The browns cover your food scraps to prevent odors or pests.

3. Save Food Scraps

• Fruits, vegetables, and grains are easily composted. 
• Avoid meat, dairy and oils.
• Always cover food scraps with brown materials. 

4. Build Your Pile

• Start with several inches of browns on the bottom.
• Add your green materials.
• Cover with more browns so you can't see or smell the food scraps.

5. Water

• Compost needs to be moist to break down.
• Test it by squeezing a handful. It should be moist like a damp sponge.
• Too wet - add more browns.
• Too dry - add more water.

6. Turning

• Your compost is broken down by tiny organisms that need to breathe. Turning the pile once every week or two helps them stay healthy. 
• Turn the tumbler once a week after adding food scraps. Then cover with more browns until there is no visible food waste. Continue turning without adding more greens or browns. 
• Turn an open pile every week or two. Cover it with new browns until there's no food waste visible.