Installation Instructions

Eng
5
5
BASIC NITROGEN / CARBON CHART
MATERIAL
CARBON/NITROGEN
INFO
Eggshells
Neutral
Best when crushed.
Leaves
Carbon
Leaves break down faster when shredded.
Straw or hay
Carbon
Straw is best; hay (with seeds) is less ideal.
Pine needles
Carbon
Acidic; use in moderate amounts.
Wood ash
Carbon
Only use ash from clean materials; sprinkle lightly.
Cardboard
Carbon
Shred material to avoid matting.
Corn cobs, stalks
Carbon
Slow to decompose; best if chopped up.
Dryer lint
Carbon
Best if from natural fibers.
Wood chips Carbon High carbon content can overwhelm, and shut down, an
otherwise good compost batch; use sparingly.
Sawdust Carbon High carbon content can overwhelm, and shut down, an
otherwise good compost batch; use sparingly.
Be sure sawdust is clean, with no machine oil or chain oil
residues from cutting equipment. Do not use sawdust from
painted or treated lumber.
AVOID ADDING THESE INGREDIENTS TO THE COMPOST MIXTURE:
 Meat, fish, fats and bones - These could ferment or putrefy, causing odors, and attracting flies, rodents
or other animals that can be pests.
 Other foods like dairy products, sauces, salad dressing, and cooking oil – These too could ferment or
putrefy, causing odors, and attracting flies, rodents or other animals that can be pests.
 Paper products – Should be recycled. They may contain chemicals that are bad for your compost.
 Ashes - Wood ashes may be very useful but in small quantities. Never put BBQ grill ashes directly into
the compost mixture.
 Dog and cat feces – May cause a risk of adding diseases! Moderately adding chicken, horse, cow, and
rabbit manure may be fine.
 Perpetual weeds that have turned to seed or diseased plants – Not to be used as they can spread with
the compost.
 Any cooked or canned foods that contain salt - Salt kills the little creatures that do the composting in
your mixture.
Important: Do not add any part of the Black Walnut tree; it contains a chemical that may prevent the
growth of some plants, tomatoes in particular.