It’s a wonderful time to try composting for the first time or to reinvigorate your old pile. Composting can turn your trash into a free soil amendment for your garden.

Composting is just organic material decaying in a moist, aerated environment, and it’s easier than many people think.

Greens (nitrogen sources such as food waste, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings) + Browns (carbon sources such as dead leaves, shredded cardboard or paper) + Water + Oxygen = Compost

Greens

Living plant material is rich in nitrogen and breaks down very quickly. Greens include fresh grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and manure.

Browns

Browns are sources of carbon. These break down very slowly without the addition of nitrogen. Browns include cardboard, dead leaves, paper, sawdust, and peanut shells.