Composting involves taking advantage of the natural decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms. Compost is the partially broken down material that results from this process (fully-broken down material is called humus).¹

Compost is a green and sustainable way to dispose of garden and home waste and can be used to improve soil quality. Compost can be mixed into soil or used as mulch.²

Composting requires what are called “green” and “brown” materials. “Greens” are high in nitrogen (N) and “browns” are high in carbon (C).² Greens are usually, but not necessarily, green and include grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds.¹ Browns are usually brown or dark colors and include leaves, wood chips, and newspaper.³

For best results, a compost pile should have a 30:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N).¹ Not sure if you can compost it? See this handy list of what counts as greens and browns as well as C:N ratios of common compost materials.

Interested in starting a compost pile? Check out these UF/IFAS resources:

• The “Compost Happens” Tutorial
• Frequently Asked Questions about Composting
• Compost Tips for the Home Gardener
• Compost Maturity Tests

1. “The ‘Compost Happens’ Tutorial,” UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension, 2011, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/compost-info/tutorial/index.shtml
2. Sydney Park Brown, “Compost Tips for the Home Gardener,” ENH1065, Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2014, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep323
3. “Can I compost it?” UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension, 2011, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/compost-info/tutorial/can-i-compost-it.shtml

Photo credits: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS

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