Sorting your stuff

The lists opposite are a reminder of most of the sorts of things that you might want to compost, divided into (1) soft, nitrogen-rich, (2) moderately nitrogen-rich, and (3) tough, carbon-rich material. Bearing in mind the ideal C:N ratio of 30 for composting, a heap made entirely of rich stuff will have too much nitrogen and one entirely of tough stuff will have too little, so always try to mix the two.

Rich stuff (C:N ratio of 5–25) Annual weeds, coffee

grounds, comfrey, feathers, general kitchen waste, hair, lawn

mowings, nettles, old cut flowers, pigeon manure, pond weed,

poultry manure (raw or pelleted), seaweed, pure wool or silk

clothing (shredded), soft, green garden waste, urine.

Middling stuff (C:N ratio of 25–50) Brassica and other

fibrous, green stems, citrus skins, cotton rags, eggshells

(rich in calcium), soiled bedding from hamsters, rabbits,

guinea pigs (not dog or cat litter), spent hop waste, tea bags,

used potting compost, vacuum cleanings (but not if you have

synthetic carpets), waste from distilling, well-rotted cow/

horse/pig/sheep manure, wool shoddy, young hedge clippings

and soft prunings.

Tough stuff (C:N ratio of 50–600) Bracken, cardboard,

corn cobs (crushed), hay or straw, leaves of broad-leaved trees

and shrubs, leaves of conifers, nutshells, paper, sawdust,

tough hedge clippings, waxed paper, wood ash (rich in

potash), wood shavings, woody prunings.