What To Compost?
Do Compost
To create good compost, you need a mix of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich items.
Nitrogen-rich ingredients include:
- Breads, grains and pasta
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags
- Eggshells
- Grass clippings
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
Carbon-rich ingredients include:
- Leaves
- Small or chopped branches, twigs, sticks
- Paper towels
- Shredded paper
- Straw
Do Not Compost
- Pet manure
- Pesticide treated plants
- Meats
- Grease or cooking oil
- Bones
- Dairy products
- Treated wood
- Weed plants
You can form a compost pile in your backyard using a shaded area that is well-drained. You may also want to invest in a composting bin, which keeps materials protected and confined.
The video below shows you how to build a variety of backyard compost bins. Master Composter David Yeager walks you through the steps, demonstrating how to construct several different kind of bins using easy-to-find and recycled materials.
The video below is a recording of a virtual workshop, hosted by the Atlantic County Master Composter Program, filled with helpful information.
Why Use Worms?
Composting with worms is a quick and easy way to help the environment. Vermicomposting is a process that involves worms breaking down food scraps to creating a fertilizer for gardens. It takes less space than traditional composting, is inexpensive and low-maintenance! If you are interested in learning more about composting with worms in your home
- It uses less space than traditional composting. Not everyone has space to set up a compost bin in their backyard, but anyone can compost indoors with worms! A worm bin can easily be tucked away under a sink, in a basement, or virtually any space. Just like other types of composting, if done correctly, it won’t smell.
- It’s cheap. You can reuse a plastic tub and purchase inexpensive worms to get started.
- It’s low-maintenance. The worms do most of the work!
- Worms make cool pets. Worms are quiet, low-maintenance pets that don’t need to be walked, groomed or boarded when you go out of town 😊. Kids love them, and they’re a great conversation starter.