What Should Go Into a Compost Pile?

Compost PIle

• The compost pile must be at least 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 3 feet high for proper composting. Materials added to the compost pile are done so in layers. Layers alternate between greens, browns and soil with green materials starting the first layer. Any other materials are added in conjunction with what the material will supply to the compost pile.

Greens

• Greens are placed down first. Materials to use include twigs, sawdust, corn stalks, straw, hay, leaves, grass clippings and vegetable waste. When using heavy materials such as grass clippings, place them down first and fluff with a pitch fork before adding other materials. The first layer of greens must be 6 to 8 inches thick. Grass clippings are mixed in within the layer so that only 2 to 3 inches of grass clippings are placed together. For instance, in the first layer, it would be 2 to 3 inches of clippings, 2 to 3 inches of other material and then 2 to 3 inches of grass clippings.

Brown

• After the greens are placed in the compost pile, brown materials are placed on top. Animal manure is the wise choice to use for composting. Spread 1 to 2 inches of manure over the pile.

Top Soil and Water

• The next application to the compost pile is 1 to 2 inches of garden soil. Sterile soil or soil treated with insecticides is not used in a compost pile. Water the first completed layer thoroughly.

Repeat Layering

• After the soil is added to the top of the green and brown materials, the layers are repeated until the heap is at least 3 feet high. For example, 6 to 8 inches of green material, 1 to 2 inches of brown material and 1 to 2 inches of top soil are the first layer. The second layer is repeated with the same amount of green material, brown material and top soil.