What to Compost:
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Fruits and vegetables
- Cardboard rolls
- Grass clippings
- Tea bags
- Cotton rags
- Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
- Houseplants
- Leaves
- Hair and fur
- Hay and straw
- Nut shells
- Sawdust
- Wood chips
- Wool rags
- Yard trimmings
What Not to Compost:
- Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
- Why? Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
- Coal or charcoal ash
- Why? Might contain substances harmful to plants
- Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)
- Why? Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Diseased or insect-ridden plants
- Why? Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
- Fats, grease, lard, or oils
- Why?Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Meat or fish bones and scraps
- Why? Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
- Why? Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
- Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
- Why? Might kill beneficial composting organisms
Using Compost
It can take anywhere from 14 days to 12 months to produce your finished compost. The time it takes can vary widely depending on the materials and methods used. The point at which the compost is ready varies based on how the compost will be used. In general, though, compost is ready when dark and crumbly and mostly broken down with a pleasant, earthy, soil-like smell to it. For most uses it is acceptable to have some recognizable pieces of leaves or straw remaining.
Finished compost can be applied to lawns and gardens to help condition the soil and replenish nutrients. Compost, however, should not be used as potting soil for houseplants because of the presence of weed and grass seeds.