08/11/2026
Composting 101: Week 2, Building Your Pile!
Last week we introduced hot composting. This week, we’re getting into the good stuff...how to build your compost pile!
A healthy compost pile needs the right balance of carbon and nitrogen. A good rule of thumb is 4 parts Browns (carbon-rich materials) and 1 part Greens (nitrogen-rich materials).
When building your pile, start with about 4 inches of brush, twigs, hay or straw to allow for airflow. Then begin layering your materials:
4" layer of Browns-Thin layer of finished compost or good garden soil-4" layer of Greens-Thin layer of compost or soil
Lightly mist each layer with water as you go. Continue layering until your pile is full, then turn it about every 14 days to help keep things aerated and decomposing.
A Few Composting Tips:
-Be careful with sawdust, wood shavings, wood chips and bark. They can be composted, but too much can overwhelm your pile.
-Banana and orange peels are okay! They just take a little longer to break down.
-Some paper plates can be composted if they are made from suitable untreated material and are free of oily or greasy residue.
-Breaking or shredding larger materials into smaller pieces can help them decompose more quickly.
-Skip black walnut leaves, twigs and wood in compost that will be used around sensitive plants, as black walnut contains juglone, which can inhibit the growth of some plants.
And remember: some materials that are technically compostable aren't a good fit for a backyard compost pile. Meat, dairy, fats, cooked foods and many compostable foodservice products require conditions or temperatures that typical backyard piles may not reach.
Follow along each week in August as we continue our Composting 101 series!
