| Starting a compost pile in your backyard is a | | | | Your composted materials should contain more |
| great way to get rid of household wastes. If you | | | | green ingredients than brown. Successful compost |
| have to pay for your garbage removal, | | | | piles typically are made of up approximately 65 to |
| composting is also a great way to save some | | | | 70 percent green ingredients and 30 to 35 |
| extra money in your budget. | | | | percent brown ingredients. If the balance of your |
| Before you start your compost pile, there are a | | | | green and brown ingredients is off, you will notice |
| few things that you should consider. First, | | | | unpleasant smells, slimy compost, and even a |
| determine what types of materials you will want | | | | variety of insects. |
| to add to your compost pile. You will also want to | | | | In order to keep your compost healthy, examine |
| estimate the size of the compost pile you intend | | | | it every few days and make sure everything |
| to create. | | | | looks good. Regular stirring will also help to keep |
| The materials that you add to your compost pile | | | | your pile composting as it should. |
| can be broken into two basic groups: greens and | | | | Tips to Improve your Compost |
| browns. Understanding which group the materials | | | | - Whenever you place food items into your |
| fall into will allow you to create a successful | | | | compost bin, make sure to cover them with |
| compost pile. | | | | brown ingredients. |
| Green ingredients typically include anything that is | | | | - If you see ants running around in your compost |
| not dry. This can include things like fruit rinds, | | | | bin, try adding green ingredients. This will add |
| meats, and fresh-cut grass. Brown ingredients | | | | moisture to your compost and deter the ants. |
| include dried leaves that have fallen from the | | | | - If your compost bin has an unpleasant odor, stir |
| trees and even a stack of old newspapers. | | | | up the ingredients. |
| If you intend to compost a lot of green materials, | | | | - If your compost is too moist or looks slimy, add |
| consider picking a compost bin that is rodent | | | | more brown ingredients. This will actually get rid of |
| proof. If you intend to compost a lot of both | | | | some of the excess moisture. |
| green and brown materials, make sure you select | | | | - Never forget about your compost bin. Take the |
| a compost bin that is large enough to | | | | time to check on it regularly to ensure that the |
| accommodate them. | | | | ingredients are composting. |