Name: Joel S Shea
Status: Other
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Question:
What can be put in a compost heap?
Replies:
Most any discarded vegetable matter can be placed in a compost pile. This
includes but is not limited to grass clippings, vegetable waste from the
table, clippings of trees and bushes/shrubs (the more finely broken up the
faster the decay). Some materials, for example banana peels will compost but
because of their character it will take a bit longer to compost them. The
composting process requires a good amount of oxidation. This can be enhanced
by turning the pile often to allow exposure of the decaying matter to the air.
I have seen a report where "handfuls" of earthworms are added to the pile.
They can be the real catalysts of the composting process.
Things to avoid in the compost pile: do NOT put in meats waste, any plastic
or glass or metal. Finely broken up wood will decay but it will take longer,
determined by the type of wood and size of the pieces.
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