So what can I compost?
There are many websites with instructions about how to compost so I won't repeat that information here. What I will share is a list of items that I have successfully (or not so successfully) composted in my backyard pile. It's nothing fancy - a 6' x 6' enclosure to which I added red wiggler worms. Two of the sides are made by my backyard's chain link fence; the other two by a salvaged futon-couch frame held together with zip ties and garden stakes. My neighbor donated two rolls of black plastic liner from his garage cleaning and I wrapped that around the entire pile to keep it all nice and tidy. It isn't much to look at, but I get some beautiful compost from it.
Some of the items I've composted may gross out a couple of you, enlighten a few others, and be a no-brainer to some. It seems so natural to put back into the earth that which comes from it. SUCCESSFUL COMPOSTS: fruit and vegetable scraps (with a few exceptions, see below) leftover, stale baked goods leftover grains (rice, oatmeal, barley, etc.) meat and dairy scraps all moldy, spoiled foods indoor plant debris chicken coop debris autumn leaf rakings untreated wicker baskets (no varnish or paint) bandage wrappers (i.e. Band-Aid, but not the bandage itself which is made of plastic) cotton, wool, linen and rayon fabric (remove the seams which are made of polyester thread) masking and painters tape undyed hair clippings (hair dye has chemicals that you don't want in your garden) non-metallic wrapping paper cotton balls and swabs (i.e. Qtips) used facial tissues (i.e. Kleenex and Scotties) cornstalks and hay bales from the holidays UNSUCCESSFUL (OR DIFFICULT) COMPOSTS: *Items with an asterisk are better composted in a commercial facility nut shells* squash/pumpkin seeds* avocado shells and pits* fruit pits (including cherry, peach, plum, apricot, etc.)* tree roots* pinecones* SunChips compostable bags utensils made from potato starch shells from the beach and egg shells 100% polyester or cotton-poly blend fabric candles and crayons made from petroleum metallic wrapping paper ceramic (even though it's made of clay it will not decompose) dryer lint treated/painted wicker baskets cellophane, packing, and duct tape polyester thread and iron-on decals (from disassembled clothing) |