| When you're creating compost, having a good | | | | should add to get the best compost. As you |
| mixture of both green and brown materials will | | | | become more familiar with the composting |
| help your compost materials decompose faster, | | | | process though, you'll find yourself instinctively |
| the finished compost will be better for your | | | | knowing whether your pile needs green or brown |
| plants, and you'll be able to use your compost | | | | materials added to it. If the pile starts to stink |
| sooner too. | | | | badly for example, you'll know you need to mix a |
| Greens and Browns in composting are just | | | | dose of brown materials in. If the pile seems |
| nicknames for the types of organic materials you | | | | stagnant or slow going however, you'll know you |
| add to your compost pile. Green materials help | | | | need to add more green materials. |
| your compost pile get hotter and more active, | | | | Most people new to composting have the most |
| while brown materials help cool and slow it down, | | | | difficult time figuring out whether an organic |
| plus they help neutralize smells too. | | | | material is green or brown. If you're not sure you |
| The actual difference between green and brown | | | | can easily test the material by getting it wet. If it |
| composting materials has nothing to do with what | | | | starts to smell after several days then that's |
| color they are. Instead, the names refer to their | | | | green composting material. |
| basic nutrient components. Green composting | | | | Generally though, almost all kitchen scraps tend to |
| materials tend to be rich in nitrogen or protein and | | | | be green composting material. This includes |
| brown materials are usually high in carbohydrates | | | | peelings from fruits and vegetables, wilted lettuce, |
| or carbon materials. | | | | rotten tomatoes, apple cores, the hearts of |
| The high amounts of nitrogen and proteins in | | | | cabbage or lettuce, and various other food parts |
| green compost matter encourages micro | | | | that aren't usually eaten. Any live plant clippings |
| organisms to thrive in your compost pile. And | | | | such as fresh cut grass or bush trimmings are |
| when these organisms thrive, they eat the | | | | also green composting materials |
| organic matter faster while generating additional | | | | Brown materials tend to be dead already. |
| heat. This combines to help your composting | | | | Shredded newspaper, paper or cardboard are |
| happen more quickly. | | | | excellent examples, as are dry leaves, straw, hay, |
| Brown composting materials act as air filters for | | | | sawdust and woodchips. |
| your compost pile. They absorb odors, create air | | | | If you plan to use clippings from your grass, |
| pockets to allow air to flow through the pile, and | | | | bushes and flowers in your compost pile, be sure |
| allow humus to be created in your compost more | | | | you never use any type of harsh chemical on the |
| quickly too. | | | | plants. Chemical fertilizers and bug sprays for |
| Both greens and browns are needed to create a | | | | example, can poisen your compost pile and make |
| good compost pile, and some people believe there | | | | it deadly to use on any other plants in the future. |
| are specific measurements of each that you | | | | |