ðą Compost Calculator
Calculate the perfect compost ratios for your organic waste and get accurate decomposition timelines. Turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil while reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
ð Composting Basics
ðĒ Green Materials (Nitrogen):
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Fresh grass clippings
- Fresh plant trimmings
- Eggshells
ðĪ Brown Materials (Carbon):
- Dried leaves
- Shredded paper and cardboard
- Sawdust and wood chips
- Straw and hay
- Dead plant material
Composting Success Guide
ðĄïļ Temperature Monitoring
Hot composting should reach 140-160°F in the center during the active phase. This heat kills pathogens and weed seeds while accelerating decomposition. Turn when temperature drops below 100°F.
ð§ Moisture Management
Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge - moist but not dripping. Too wet leads to anaerobic conditions and odors. Too dry slows decomposition significantly.
ðŠïļ Aeration Importance
Oxygen is crucial for aerobic decomposition. Regular turning, proper layering, and coarse materials help maintain air pockets and prevent anaerobic decomposition that causes bad odors.
Troubleshooting Common Compost Problems
ð· Odor Issues
Symptoms: Bad smell, slimy texture, flies
Causes: Too much green material, too wet, not enough air
Solutions: Add brown materials, turn more frequently, ensure drainage
ð Slow Decomposition
Symptoms: Materials not breaking down, cold pile
Causes: Too much brown material, too dry, pile too small
Solutions: Add green materials, water lightly, increase pile size
Seasonal Composting Calendar
ðą Spring
- Start new hot compost piles
- Screen finished compost
- Add yard waste from spring cleanup
- Resume regular turning schedule
âïļ Summer
- Monitor moisture levels closely
- Add grass clippings gradually
- Harvest early spring compost
- Maintain regular turning
ð Fall
- Collect and shred fallen leaves
- Build final hot piles of season
- Insulate bins for winter
- Apply finished compost to gardens
âïļ Winter
- Continue adding kitchen scraps
- Reduce turning frequency
- Plan next year's composting system
- Maintain indoor worm composting
Using Your Finished Compost
ðš Garden Amendment
Mix 2-4 inches of compost into garden beds before planting. Compost improves soil structure, water retention, and provides slow-release nutrients for plants.
ðŋ Mulch Alternative
Use partially finished compost as mulch around trees and shrubs. It suppresses weeds while continuing to decompose and feed the soil.
ðŠī Potting Mix Component
Screen finished compost finely to mix with other ingredients for homemade potting soil. Use up to 30% compost in potting mix ratios.
Complete Your Waste Reduction Journey
Combine composting with our other sustainable living tools: