Materials Needed for Composting

Before we learn the different methods to compost, we first have to know what kind of materials we need to have. The 2 most important materials we need, are "green stuff" and "brown stuff". Believe it or not, "green stuff" and "brown stuff" are the scientific words describing two different types of material. 

Brown stuff is organic matter which is rich with carbon. The brown stuff, which is high in carbon, acts as the fiber during composting. It is basically dead material. Brown stuff is also the material we need most of during the composting process, but it is very easy to find Some examples of "brown stuff" are: dried leaves, pine needles, newspaper, and sawdust.

Green stuff is organic matter which is rich in nitrogen. While brown stuff is the most needed material in composting, green stuff is the least needed material. Also, Green Stuff is very hard to store, since they turn rotten over long periods of time. Some examples of Brown Stuff are: grass clippings, fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, egg shells, horse manure, and left over food scraps.

Material to NOT Compost

While composting there are some  materials that you have to watch out for.  Using the wrong materials while composting, can result in many things, including attractions of pests. Here are some examples of materials not use during composting and how they affect your compost.

Bread related products- attracts unwanted pests
Cooking oil- also attract pests and animals
Glossy paper and magazines- does not breakdown and ads chemicals to your compost
Meat- compost becomes smelly and attracts bugs and animals.
Milk-also attracts pests while making compost smelly
Rice- allows bacteria to start growing in the compost pile or bin
Walnuts-makes soil toxic for some other plants
Paint- just doesn't belong in the garden
Acidic fruits like Citrus fruit- highest pH level of soil.
Animal or human waste- negatively affects health of surroundings.

Types of Composting

The following is what methods of composting your going to learn:

1. Vermicomposting
2. Trenchvomposting