Understanding Composting Basics
Composting is an excellent way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. While many foods, including marc-café and vegetable peels, can enrich your compost, there are some items you should definitely avoid. Knowing what to exclude is key to a healthy composting process.
Foods to Avoid in Your Compost
1. **Meat and Dairy Products**: These items may seem like a natural choice, but they can attract pests and create unpleasant odors. Instead, focus on plant-based scraps.
2. **Oils and Fats**: No matter how tempting it is to throw away used cooking oil, these fats can hinder decomposition and turn your compost into a greasy mess.
3. **Citrus Peels**: While they are often thought of as compost-friendly, citrus peels can actually disrupt the microbial balance in your compost, leading to slow decomposition.
Make the Right Choices
4. **Cooked Foods**: Similar to meat and dairy, cooked foods are prone to attracting unwanted pests and can create a smelly situation in your compost bin.
5. **Plant Diseases and Weeds**: Finally, never add diseased plants or weeds that have gone to seed. This can lead to the spread of disease in your garden when you eventually use the compost. Keep your compost healthy and balanced by making sure these foods remain out of the mix!
