What Can You Compost: A Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Gardening

Composting is an easy way to turn your food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Not only does it reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, but it also helps you save money on fertilizer and promotes healthy plant growth. But what can you actually compost? Here's a beginner's guide to help you get started.

1. Fruits and Vegetables

The most obvious items to compost are fruits and vegetables – from apple cores to zucchini ends, they all make great additions to your compost pile. However, avoid any citrus fruits or onions, as they can take longer to break down and attract pests.

A banana peel in a compost bin

2. Coffee Grounds and Tea Bags

Coffee grounds and tea bags are also great for composting, as they are rich in nitrogen and can help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your pile. Just be sure to remove any staples or strings from the tea bags before adding them to your compost bin.

Coffee grounds in a jar

3. Eggshells

Eggshells are a great source of calcium for your plants, and they break down quickly in your compost pile. Before adding them to your bin, rinse them out and let them dry completely, then crush them into small pieces to speed up the decomposition process.

Eggshells in a bowl

4. Paper and Cardboard

Paper and cardboard products like newspaper, paper towels, and cardboard boxes can also be composted. Shred them into smaller pieces before adding them to your pile to help them break down faster. Just avoid any glossy or colored papers, as they may contain chemicals that can harm your plants.

Newspaper in a compost bin

5. Grass Clippings and Leaves

Grass clippings and fallen leaves are high in carbon and make great bulking agents for your compost pile. Be sure to mix them in well with your other compost materials to prevent clumping and promote even decomposition.

Leaves in a compost bin

6. What Not to Compost

While many organic materials can be composted, there are some items you should avoid putting in your pile. These include meat, dairy products, bones, and oily or fatty foods, as they can attract pests and create unpleasant odors. Additionally, avoid composting any plants that are diseased or have been treated with pesticides, as this can spread harmful substances to your garden.

So there you have it – a beginner's guide to composting. Start saving those food scraps and yard waste today and watch your garden thrive!