What Not To Compost

There are many things you can use to make a good compost humus (which is what the final product is called).  There are also quite a few items that should never go into your compost bin.  Listed below are just some of the materials you should not try to compost, and why it is not a good idea.

Ashes from charcoal should not be added to your compost, although you can add very small amounts of ashes from a fire that was made with untreated wood.  It is not a good idea to add a lot though because it can change the composition and make it too alkaline.

Don't add cat litter to your compost! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do not add any kind of droppings from an animal that is not a vegetarian.  Animals that pass the compost inspection include horses, cows, rabbits, and goats.  You can even add droppings from hamster or other indoor pets.  But stay away from bird, dog, and cat droppings (including cat litter).  They all can contain harmful organisms - plus they will make your compost smell bad.

Any type of animal waste such as leftover meat, oil, bones, or fish waste are off-limits. They all can cause your pile to smell badly and can attract unwanted pests.

Milk, yogurt, cheese, or any other milk product should be added with caution.  They all will attract animals and pests.  If you do decide to add them, do so in small amounts and cover them with plenty of brown materials afterwards.

You can add weeds, but you should take care to ensure your composting is functioning properly.  If your compost is not generating enough heat the roots may not be destroyed and the weeds may grow again once you spread your compost.  You can dry your weeds on a sidewalk or on some concrete in the sun before adding to the pile as an added precaution to make sure they do not survive.

These are just a few items you should not compost - or should use caution when composting. Following these tips will minimize composting problems, and help make sure your composting efforts are a success!

Composting Precautions To Consider

There are living creatures that you want in your compost bin such as microbes and red earthworms, and then there are the creatures you want to stay away like raccoons, rodents, and bears.  A compost bin can be very appealing to an animal who smells easy access to food.  As a rule, you should never put animal products into compost (left over meat and bones, or dairy). Not only do they not make for good composting they will be a magnet to wild animals.  Following are a few more tips to help keep your compost bin free from pests of all sizes.

Compost Bin with Lid (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An odor-free compost bin is less likely to attract bears or any other unwanted animal pests.  You can achieve this by rotating or turning the compost pile at least once per week, and making sure you have a good mixture of green and brown materials.  Another precaution that should be taken is to have a bin with a cover, whether it is commercially made or one you make yourself.

Another thing you can do is to put brown food such as leaves or lawn clippings on top of the green food (food scraps and other kitchen waste).  You can also purchase lime at your local nursery or hardware store to sprinkle on the top of your composting materials to increase the rate at which everything decomposes.

The location of your compost heap should not be near the edge of your property - especially if you live near a forest or park area.  This makes it very easy for animals to help themselves without being exposed by walking through your backyard.

If bears or raccoons are a big concern in your community you may want to look into a neighborhood compost pile.  In addition to making composting more accessible to a larger group of people, you can invest in an electric or barbed wire fence to ensure no unwanted animals come looking for a free lunch.