Why Compost?

When you compost, the finished product is a valuable soil amendment. Soils that have compost added to them are healthier and yield healthier plants

Composting can save you money! You won’t need to buy soil amendments from gardening stores.

Finally, composting is a great way to manage yard waste that are not allowed in landfills. Home composting can help manage kitchen scraps to conserve landfill space!

Acceptable materials

• Leaves
• Grass Clippings
• Small sticks
• Kitchen scraps
• Used potting soil
• Paper and Cardboard
• Garden Debris
• Hay and Straw
• Natural Fibers

Materials to avoid

• Persistent weeds
• Meat and bones
• Dairy
• Oils and fats
• Cat or dog waste
• Diseased plants
• Ash
• Treated Lumber

Getting started

Two broad categories of materials that are acceptable in your compost bin – “Greens” and “Browns”.  

“Green” materials are rich in nitrogen. These materials include materials such as grass clippings and vegetable scraps. “Brown" materials are carbon rich materials such as leaves and straw.

Your compost bin requires a balanced diet, just like you! The ratio of 2-3 parts by volume of brown material for every one part green material.

How you compost is up to you! You can buy a bin or heap your compost into a pile. Check local ordinances for any specific composting requirements based on where you live.

Once your materials are added together, water your compost to be as moist as a rung out sponge.

It's recommended but not necessary to turn your compost pile once a week. This will speed up the process of finishing your compost. It is also a great time to make sure that your pile has the correct amount of moisture.

Looking for more information on how start composting at home? WDNR and Recycling Connections have great resources to help you get started!