You decided to have a compost? Great idea! It allows to recycle waste, feed plants – it is an organic fertilizer – and improve the vegetable garden’s ground. But be careful, not everything goes in a compost. Follow the (non-exhaustive) guide!

It’s a yes

  • Vegetable waste the likes of peelings, fruit and vegetable tops, preferably washed to avoid any eventual traces of pesticides, not really compatibles with the life we seek to create with a compost. Contrary to a preconceived idea, citrus fruit skins go in the compost but in small quantities and ideally grinded: if you prepare an orange juice for the entire family every morning, avoid putting all the skins in the compost! It is all about balance.
  •  Egg shells should be crushed to speed up decomposition. Think about it the next time you prepare an omelette or a cake.
  •  Coffee grounds and even the filters if it is paper. It also works with tea leaves, tea bags – free from any staples.
  • Stale bread if you have not already cooked it (yummy bruschetta with vegetables and French toasts!) or transformed it into bread crumbs or croutons.
  • The garden’s waste untreated or not treated much such as dead leaves, flowers, twigs or grain-less weeds. The grass cuts, dried and in small quantities can also be part of the adventure.
  • Some domestic waste such as paper tissues, not whitened paper towels (and ideally wet) or chimney ashes in small quantities: all compost-friendly!

It’s a no

Opinions differ for some waste and gardeners each find their ideal equation, but we generally advise against putting in the compost:

 

  • Polluted waste containing solvent or varnish: veneer, varnished wood, treated or diseased vegetables...
  • Meat, fish and dairy (except small cheese crusts), which can lead to unpleasant smells and attract dogs, cats, rodents and parasites.
  • Weeds with grains which would multiply in the compost, as well as diseased plants or plants that were abundantly treated with phytosanitary products.
  • Pine needles which can hinder the process because of their acidity.
  • Oyster shells, too hard to be in the compost. 
  • Dirt, sand and coal ashes as it contains tar.
  • Cat litter and baby diapers.
  • Non-compostable fabrics such as glass, metals, plastic (even biodegradable) ...: these are for the recycling bin!

And you, how do you manage your compost?


 

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