Type of Material

Carbon/ Nitrogen/

Trace

Tips

Ashes from untreated, wood

T

Fine amounts at most. Can make the pile too alkaline and suppress composting.

Bird & Chicken droppings

N

May contain weed seeds

Cardboard

C

Shred into small pieces if you use it. Wetting it makes it easier to tear.

Broad leaves

C

Shredding helps them break down faster. Decompose slowly have a separate pile for leaf mould. Can be acidic low in nutrients

Coffee ground and filters

T

Worms love coffee grounds

Chemically treated grass mowings

N

If weed treated compost won’t be organic but OK after 6 months

Diseased plants

N

If your pile doesn’t get hot enough, it might not kill the pathogen. Let it cure several months, and don’t use resulting compost near the type of plant that was diseased.

Eggshells

T

Break down slowly. Crushing shells helps.

Hair

N

Scatter so it isn’t in clumps.

Hedge Clippings

C

Cut up small

Kitchen rinse water

Neutral

Good to moisten the middle of the pile. Don’t over-moisten the pile.

Kitchen waste- vegetable matter

N & T

Fruit and vegetable peelings – uncooked trimmings

Manure horse, cow, pig, sheep, rabbit

N

Great source of nitrogen. Mix with carbon rich materials so it breaks down better.

Newspaper

C

Shred it so it breaks down easier.

Pine needles and cones

C

Acidic and decomposes slowly.

Seaweed

N

Good nutrient source.

Sawdust and wood shavings

C

You’ll need a lot of nitrogen materials to make up for the high carbon content. Don’t use too much, and don’t use treated woods.

Weeds

N

Dry them out on the pavement, then add later. Don’t use seed heads

Turf and grass sods

N

Make sure the pile is hot enough, or pile separately grass to grass roots to roots to make loam.