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Hands sift through compost ready for use

LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPOSTING

The "Learn More" pages are interactive learning tools, reference materials, and supporting documentation. You can use the pages as you go through the "Compost Happens" tutorial, or browse through them by clicking on the page titles below.

Informative

  • What Can I Compost? – The basic rule? Anything. But, start here if you aren't sure.
  • Can I Compost It? – Contains a table of compostable and non-compostable materials.
  • Grass-cycling – Some tips on what to do with grass clippings.
  • Managing Problem Materials – Materials such as diseased plants, pesticides, and large amounts of grass may cause problems. This page tries to address them.
  • When Is Compost Ready? – How can you tell if your compost is ready. This page has some general rules, but if you still can't tell, try the Compost Maturity Tests.
  • Compost Maturity Tests – If you can't tell when your compost is ready by looking at it, then try some of these tests.
  • Bin Construction – If you're ready to compost and you want to build or buy a bin, this page will give you the information you need to make the right choice.
  • Vermicomposting (Composting With Worms) – Everyone can compost, even if you live in an apartment or a condominium!

Interactive

Definitions

  • Compost Organisms – Contains descriptions of some of the decomposers you might find in your compost system.
  • Compost Bacteria – Contains descriptions of some of the decomposing bacteria you might find in your compost system.
  • Glossary of Composting Terms – Contains definitions for many compost related terms.