What To Compost?
Do Compost
To create good compost, you need a mix of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich items.
Nitrogen-rich ingredients include:
- Breads, grains and pasta
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags
- Eggshells
- Grass clippings
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
Carbon-rich ingredients include:
- Leaves
- Small or chopped branches, twigs, sticks
- Paper towels
- Shredded paper
- Straw
Do Not Compost
- Pet manure
- Pesticide treated plants
- Meats
- Grease or cooking oil
- Bones
- Dairy products
- Treated wood
- Weed plants
You can form a compost pile in your backyard using a shaded area that is well-drained. You may also want to invest in a composting bin, which keeps materials protected and confined.
The video below shows you how to build a variety of backyard compost bins. Master Composter David Yeager walks you through the steps, demonstrating how to construct several different kind of bins using easy-to-find and recycled materials.
The video below is a recording of a virtual workshop, hosted by the Atlantic County Master Composter Program, filled with helpful information.
Why Use Worms?
Composting with worms is a quick and easy way to help the environment. Vermicomposting is a process that involves worms breaking down food scraps to creating a fertilizer for gardens. It takes less space than traditional composting, is inexpensive and low-maintenance! If you are interested in learning more about composting with worms in your home
- It uses less space than traditional composting. Not everyone has space to set up a compost bin in their backyard, but anyone can compost indoors with worms! A worm bin can easily be tucked away under a sink, in a basement, or virtually any space. Just like other types of composting, if done correctly, it won’t smell.
- It’s cheap. You can reuse a plastic tub and purchase inexpensive worms to get started.
- It’s low-maintenance. The worms do most of the work!
- Worms make cool pets. Worms are quiet, low-maintenance pets that don’t need to be walked, groomed or boarded when you go out of town 😊. Kids love them, and they’re a great conversation starter.
ACUA offers FREE workshops throughout the year to help beginners learn what they need to start composting at home.
Click the button below to learn more and see scheduled workshops.