Changes

Anything that was once alive will naturally decompose. However, some organic wastes should not be composted at home.

Anything that was once alive will naturally decompose. However, some organic wastes should not be composted at home.

DO compost these items: grass clippings, leaves, plant stalks, hedge trimmings, old potting soil, twigs, annual weeds without seed heads, vegetable scraps, coffee filters, and tea bags.

==DO compost these items:==

* grass clippings

* leaves

* small or flexible plant stalks

* hedge trimmings

* old potting soil

* very thin twigs

* annual weeds without seed heads

* vegetable scraps

* coffee filters

* tea bags

Do NOT compost these items: diseased plants, weeds with seed heads, invasive weeds, pet droppings, dead animals, bread and grains, meat or fish parts, dairy products, grease, cooking oil, or oily foods. Although all of these can be composted, they are also likely to attract unwelcome visitors such as rats. Although most plant diseases and weeds will be killed by the heat in the middle of a heap, they may be able to survive near the cooler outer edges and still be present when the compost is used.

==Do NOT compost these items:==

* diseased plants

* weeds with seed heads

* invasive weeds

* pet droppings

* dead animals

* bread and grains

* meat or fish parts

* dairy products

* grease and cooking oil, or oily foods.  

 

Although all of these can be composted, they are also likely to attract unwelcome visitors such as rats. Although most plant diseases and weeds will be killed by the heat in the middle of a heap, they may be able to survive near the cooler outer edges and still be present when the compost is used.

===Making It Work===

===Making It Work===

To prepare compost, organic material, microorganisms, air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen are needed.

To prepare compost, organic material, microorganisms, air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen are needed.

Organic material is leaves, grass clippings, etc. that you are trying to decompose. Microorganisms are small forms of plant and animal life, which break down the organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure provides sufficient microorganisms.

Organic material are leaves, grass clippings, etc. that you are trying to decompose. Microorganisms are small forms of plant and animal life, which break down the organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure provides sufficient microorganisms.

The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. Nitrogen fertilizers can be purchased at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.

The nitrogen, air, and water provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can add sufficient nitrogen to the compost. Nitrogen fertilizers can be purchased at many hardware stores, feed stores, or nurseries.

Air is the only part which cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient aeration in the pile.

Air is the only part which cannot be added in excess. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient aeration in the pile. Turning the pile helps with aeration.

==Biology==

==Biology==