What Can You Compost?

Compost can be made from soft-bodied plant materials such as leaves, weeds, non-woody shrub trimmings, faded flowers, vegetable tops and vines, shredded black and white print newspapers, manure, and straw.

Grass clippings can be composted, but are easier to handle by not bagging which allows clippings to recycle their nutrients back into the lawn. If grass clippings are composted, they should be mixed with other materials to prevent over-packing that leads odors.

Sawdust and wood chips can be composted. To feed the decomposing bacteria, they will require extra nitrogen, such as nitrogen fertilizer or fresh lawn clippings. The nutrients will be released when the composting process concludes. These woody materials will require extra processing time.

It may be easier to list material, which should NOT be composted. Meat, bones, grease, eggs and dairy products should not be composted. They will slow decomposition and may attract rodents and other animal pests. Pet feces should not be composted as they may spread diseases.

It is also advisable not to compost diseased plants, insect infested plants, and weeds heavily loaded with seeds. These pest problems may not be adequately eliminated in the composting process.

For more information, contact your local Extension office and request the publication, Composting and Mulching: A Guide to Managing Organic Yard Wastes.