What is Composting?

Composting is simply recycling food scraps, yard trimmings and other organic matter. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter that takes place in the presence of oxygen. What they leave behind can be used...

as potting soil,
as mulch for the lawn and garden,
to increase air and water absorption in soil,
to decrease erosion,
to suppress weed growth, and
to improve soil texture

In nature, plants return their nutrients to the soil when they decompose. Bacteria and fungi decompose the plant materials into a dark, soil-like material called compost or Humus. This only takes place if enough oxygen and moisture are available. Humus provides nutrients that are necessary for plant growth, helps keep the soil moist and loose, feeds the earthworms and supports bacteria.

Composting is easy. Common materials like chicken wire, bricks, and buckets are all it takes to create a composting enclosure, which can be done either indoors or outdoors. Maintenance isn't difficult either: regular mixing and a little water can ensure success.

What to compost - The IN List.

Cardboard rolls	Clean paper	Coffee grounds & filters
Tea bags	Fireplace ashes	Fur
Gray cardboard boxes	Hair	Leaves and Grass
Sawdust	Shredded newspaper	Vacuum cleaner lint
Wool and cotton rags

What Not to Compost - The OUT List.

Keep out	Reason why
Black Walnut Leaves/Twigs	toxic to tomatoes
Food Waste	attracts vermin
Meat	attracts flies and rodents
Oils Grease	produces odor and attracts vermin
Pesticides	can kill composting organisms and concentrate in compost
Pet wastes	can carry disease and attracts flies