| Behind every scientific equation in | | | | basically describes the chemical composition |
| composting lies an art form that's different | | | | of your materials, NOT 30 times the amount of |
| for everyone. Composting isn't necessarily a | | | | brown stuff to one of the green. With this |
| hard thing to do; other than the materials, | | | | ratio you're bound to reach a hot temperature |
| equipment, waste and space, all it truly | | | | of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is |
| needs on your end is patience and commitment. | | | | ideal for the microbes in your compost to eat |
| We're not exactly painting the ceiling of | | | | up all the carbon and nitrogen rich goodies. |
| the Sistine Chapel, but we're going to make a | | | | |
| healthy, sustainable garden fit for one with | | | | Another recipe that you can follow is the "2 |
| just composting alone! Remember, it's a | | | | parts green, 1 part brown" recipe also found |
| trial and error method until you find the | | | | in Home Composting Made Easy. This basically |
| perfect scientific solution to make your | | | | means that you can achieve the 30:1 to 50:1 |
| ideal batch of compost. | | | | ratio, the latter being ideal for low |
| | | | temperature compost batches, by including two |
| Let's begin with an explanation of the carbon | | | | parts of green stuff to one part brown stuff. |
| nitrogen ratio, or the C/N ratio. In order | | | | For example, if you mix grass clippings |
| for you to have a successful, usable batch of | | | | (17:1), non-diseased and seedy weeds (20:1) |
| compost you have to have the right balance | | | | with dried leaves (60:1) and divide that up |
| between the brown stuff and the green stuff. | | | | by three, you have a product of 32:1, which |
| Get your mind out of the gutter! It's not | | | | is close to the 30:1 average. Of course, you |
| what you really think it is! The brown | | | | should play around with your recipe to find |
| stuff, like dried leaves, tree bark, straw | | | | the perfect fit for your batches. As long as |
| and hay have a lot of carbon, and the green | | | | you don't have too much green or too much |
| stuff like fresh grass clippings, fresh | | | | brown, you should have a successful batch of |
| leaves, chicken manure, fruit wastes and food | | | | ready to use compost! |
| scraps have a lot of nitrogen. This is where | | | | |
| the simple scientific equations come in; | | | | Remember, composting is a science and an art |
| actually it might be better if you think of | | | | form. Keep working at it and use these |
| it more as a cooking recipe because it really | | | | basics to find the perfect C/N ratio. |
| is! | | | | |
| | | | *Referenced from Home Composting Made Easy by |
| According to Home Composting Made Easy, it's | | | | C. Forrest McDowell, PhD and Tricia |
| best if you try to achieve the ideal 30:1 C/N | | | | Clark-McDowell, 2002. |
| ratio for your compost. This average ratio | | | | |