Things You Can Put In a Compost
Keep your food scraps and yard wastes to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden by creating a compost. Composted materials help make your soil better for growing food.

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What is compost?
Compost is organic materials that have broken down.
The break down of the organic matter forms a soil amendment called humus.
Humus is a nutrient-rich material.
What is compost used for?
Compost is used to add nutrients to garden soil as a natural fertilizer.
It’s also added to soil to increase its condition by making it easier to work with and plant in.
Compost also increases the soil’s ability to hold water when it is added to the soil.
Benefits Of Composting
- Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
- Suppresses plant diseases and pests
- Encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi
- Reduces methane emissions from landfills
- Lowers your carbon footprint
- One application of compost can have a positive effect on plant growth for up to 8 years

List Of Things You Can Put In A Compost
Kitchen Waste
- fruit and vegetables
- egg shells (crushed)
- stale bread
- cereal
- tea and coffee grounds
- nut shells
Yard and Garden Waste
- plant trimmings
- grass clippings
- sawdust (not pine or cedar)
- wood ash (excellent source of potassium, thin layers)
- leaves
- small twigs
- pine cones
- pine needles
- hay
- straw
- wood chips
Bathroom Waste
- hair
- nails
- toilet paper rolls
- cotton balls
- dryer lint
Home Waste
- shredded newspaper (black and white)
- cardboard
- paper
- houseplants
- old potting soil
Things You Can’t Compost
Meats
- meat
- bones
- fish
Fatty Foods
- fats
- grease
- lard
- oils
- salad dressing
Dairy Products
- butter
- milk
- sour cream
- yogurt
- eggs
Pet Waste
- dog feces
- cat feces
- kitty litter
Yard Waste
- black walnut tree leaves or twigs (these are harmful to other plants)
- diseased or insect-ridden plants (insects and diseases can be transferred to other plants)
- yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides (these can kill organisms beneficial for composting)
barbecue ashes or coals - pine or cedar sawdust
- weeds with seed heads or persistent roots (quack grass)
- herbicide/pesticide treated plant materials
- rhubarb leaves
Household Wastes
- metals
- plastics
- colored paper
- medication
- human feces
- urine

Final Thoughts On Composting
Composting will help improve your soil’s condition by adding nutrients and increasing its ability to hold water.
You can add your kitchen scraps, yard wastes, and other household wastes.
List Of Things You Can Compost
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