If You Want The Best Compost For Your Garden, Steer Clear Of These 17 Ingredients
Not everything belongs in the compost pile, no matter how natural it seems. I’ve made the mistake of tossing in the wrong scraps, only to end up with a smelly, slimy mess instead of rich, garden-boosting compost.
Some ingredients attract pests, while others take forever to break down or even ruin the whole batch. It’s frustrating to put in the effort and not get the results you were hoping for. Let’s go over what to keep out so your compost stays healthy and works its magic in the garden!
1. Dairy Products
Got milk? Keep it far from your compost! Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can turn your compost into a stinky, fly-attracting mess. These creamy delights are better left in your kitchen, not decomposing in your garden.
The fats in dairy slow down the composting process, making your pile more of a stagnant swamp than a thriving ecosystem. And that smell? It’s enough to make your nose do a double take! Keep your compost pile fresh and lively by steering clear of these dairy misfits.
2. Meat Scraps
Tossing meat scraps into your compost might seem harmless, but think again! It’s like sending out an open invitation to every rodent in the neighborhood for a midnight feast. Meat doesn’t break down easily, leading to a putrid pile.
Even the strongest composters will shiver at the stench meat can produce. The fats and proteins interfere with the natural balance of your compost, turning it into a rodent rave. Let’s keep the party crashers at bay and the garden thriving by leaving meat off the guest list.
3. Pet Waste
Your fluffy friend’s waste might seem natural, but tossing it into the compost is a no-go! Pet waste can introduce harmful pathogens, making your compost pile a potential health hazard.
Imagine your garden teeming with beautiful blooms, only to be thwarted by hidden dangers lurking below. Not to mention, the smell of pet waste is far from a floral fragrance! Keep your garden safe and sweet-smelling by disposing of pet waste in the trash, not the compost.
4. Diseased Plants
Picture this: your garden’s flourishing, but you decide to compost last season’s diseased plants. Big mistake! You’re essentially turning your compost into a hospital for plant pathogens.
Those sneaky disease-causers can survive the composting process, ready to pounce on your healthy plants come spring. The result? A garden that’s more boo-hoo than bloom. Let’s save the drama and keep diseased plants out of the compost pile, ensuring your garden’s a picture of health.
5. Oily Foods
Ever tried composting oily foods? It’s like trying to mix oil and water—literally! The oils can create a suffocating barrier, slowing down decomposition and leaving your compost feeling soggy and unloved.
Your garden deserves better than a greasy mess that could attract pests and create unpleasant odors. So, swap those oily leftovers for something more compost-friendly. Your compost pile will thank you, and your garden will flourish without the slippery setbacks!
6. Onions and Garlic
Ah, the strong aroma of onions and garlic—delightful in the kitchen but not so much in the compost. These pungent alliums can take over your compost pile, leaving less room for the beneficial bacteria.
Their strong scent may repel some of the helpful bugs and can slow down the composting process. Save the aroma for your culinary creations and give your compost a chance to breathe freely without the overpowering presence of onions and garlic.
7. Coal Ash
Coal ash and compost are like oil and water—they just don’t mix! While wood ash can be garden gold, coal ash contains toxins that could spell disaster for your soil.
Think of coal ash as the villain in your garden’s story, sneaking in unwanted chemicals like sulfur and iron. Instead of nurturing, it could leave your plants gasping for mercy. Let’s keep the compost pure and skip the coal ash, ensuring your garden’s heroes can thrive.
8. Colored Paper
Recycling’s great, but colored paper in your compost? That’s a color clash you want to avoid! The inks and dyes can introduce harmful chemicals that your garden would rather live without.
Your compost pile is a place for natural beauty, not synthetic hues. Let’s keep it that way by opting for plain, uncolored paper instead. Your compost will break down more easily, and your plants will thrive without the interference of artificial colors.
9. Weeds
Adding weeds to your compost is like inviting trouble to your garden party. While they might seem harmless, those seeds and roots can survive the composting process and stage a coup in your garden.
Suddenly, what you thought was nutrient-rich compost turns into a breeding ground for future garden headaches! Avoid the uprising by leaving weeds out of the compost. This way, your garden can bask in the glory of growth without the pesky plant revolts.
10. Citrus Peels
The sweet smell of citrus peels might be tempting, but these divas don’t play nice in the compost world. Their high acidity can mess with the microbial balance, turning your compost into a sourpuss.
On top of that, those tough skins take forever to break down, leaving your pile feeling ignored. While citrus might bring joy to your kitchen, it’s better to keep it out of your compost. That way, your compost can focus on growing sweet success, not dealing with tangy chaos.
11. Glossy Paper
Magazines might look great on your coffee table, but their glossy paper isn’t a friend to your compost. The coatings and inks used for that shine can introduce unwanted toxins into your compost pile.
Your garden doesn’t need those extra chemicals—it prefers the natural stuff. Stick with untreated paper to keep your compost chemical-free. Your plants will grow healthier, thriving in a pure, glossy-free environment.
12. Plastic
When plastic ends up in your compost, it’s like a fish out of water—it just doesn’t belong. It doesn’t break down and can contaminate your precious soil.
Think of your compost as a plastic-free zone, a space for natural decomposition to thrive. Keeping plastic out ensures your compost stays pure, and your garden remains lush and vibrant. Let’s reserve plastic for recycling and keep the compost for nature’s wonders.
13. Nuts and Seeds
Add nuts and seeds to your compost, and they’ll try to start a garden of their own! These persistent little guys can sprout, turning your compost into an unexpected seedling nursery.
While that may sound fun, it steals resources from the composting process, slowing things down. Keep the nutty surprises for snack time and let your compost focus on creating rich, seed-free soil.
14. Walnuts
Walnuts in compost? These tough nuts bring more than just a hard shell—they contain juglone, a toxin harmful to many plants.
Adding them to your compost is like inviting a wolf into the fold of your garden’s sheep. It could sabotage your plants’ growth, leaving your garden less bountiful. Keep walnuts out to ensure your compost remains a nurturing home for your garden’s growth instead of a den of deception.
15. Bread Products
While bread might be a regular on your dining table, it’s not so welcome in your compost. Its soft, spongy texture draws pests, turning your compost pile into a pest buffet.
On top of that, bread molds quickly, throwing off the delicate compost balance. Keep it in the kitchen where it belongs, and let your compost thrive without the gluten-filled distractions. Your garden will thank you with vibrant, pest-free soil!
16. Charcoal Briquettes
Adding charcoal briquettes to your compost is like inviting trouble to the party. Despite looking like innocent chunks of carbon, they’re packed with additives that can mess with your soil.
They’re the party crashers you never wanted—causing chaos instead of helping. Keep them out, and your compost will stay a happy, healthy home for beneficial bacteria and worms. Your garden will thank you with lush, natural soil!
17. Sawdust from Treated Wood
Wood sawdust can be a great addition to compost, but only if it comes from untreated wood. When it’s from treated wood, these tiny particles carry chemicals that can interfere with the composting process.
Think of them as unwelcome guests at your garden’s party, introducing toxins that harm your compost. Instead, choose untreated wood sawdust to keep your compost free from synthetic chemicals, letting it thrive naturally.