Compost is organic matter created when food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other plant materials naturally break down. When added to vegetable gardens and perennial beds, compost can help to improve soil structure, increase water-holding capacity, and support healthy garden soils. If you are looking to get started this season, you will need a compost bin, carbon-rich materials, nitrogen-rich materials, water, soil or finished compost, and air.
A balanced compost pile needs both carbon-rich browns and nitrogen-rich greens to break down effectively. When adding materials to your compost bin, use a ratio of three parts of carbon to two parts of nitrogen. Carbon-rich materials include:
- Dead plant materials, such as fallen leaves and straw
- Twigs and small branches, untreated wood chips, and sawdust
- Paper, such as newsprint
After adding carbon-rich materials, include nitrogen-rich greens to help speed decomposition. Nitrogen-rich materials include:
- Food waste, such as raw or cooked fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds, paper coffee filters, eggshells, breads, and pastas
- Green plant materials, such as fresh grass clippings, plant trimmings, flowers, and weeds without seeds
Keep the compost pile damp by adding water as needed and stir the pile to incorporate air. To reduce odor, cover the top of the pile with some soil or finished compost.
Some materials should be kept out of the compost pile because they can attract pests and/or slow decomposition. Therefore, avoid adding:
- Meat, bones, and dairy products
- Treated wood
- Diseased plant material
- Weeds with mature seeds
- Pet feces
- Materials that have been treated with pesticides
If you are interested in other composting methods, have a look at vermicomposting. For more information on composting and troubleshooting please visit University of Saskatchewan's Composting How-To Guide.
References:
University of Saskatchewan. (2022, December 27). Composting: a how-to guide for Healthy Yards. University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. usask.ca.
University of Saskatchewan. (2023, January 27). Vermicomposting (indoor method). University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. usask.ca.
