From the backyard to supersized facilities, all successful composting projects follow the same basic recipe. Follow these simple instructions for good results batch after batch.

1. When life gives you lemon peels,
MAKE
COMPOST

2. Successful composting is a lot like
cooking or baking.

3. Follow a good recipe.

4. Blend wet ingredients

5. and dry ingredients

6. in just the
right amounts.

7. Get the blend in the zone
C:N = 25-30:1 or 25-30 times more carbon
than nitrogen in the finished blend (refers to
actual C and N, not the volume of
carbonaceous and nitrogenous materials)
Moisture = 40-60% by weight

8. Mix thoroughly.

9. Maintain prescribed temperatures
throughout the composting cycle.

10. Don't under process.

11. Don’t over process.

12. 70° F - 160° F is the Goldilocks Zone
113° F → 160 ° F
Thermophilic
High-rate composting
70° F → 113° F
Mesophilic
Slow composting / curing
140° F - 160° F = Pathogen kill zone
Composting thermophiles die when temperatures exceed 160° F
80° F
113° F
140° F
160° F
70° F
120° F
100° F
Phase 2: 3-6 months
(time required to reach
maturity depends on
technology)
Phase 1: 3-15 days
(# of days depends on
technology)

13. When
properly
composted…

14. you won’t be
able to detect
the original
ingredients...

15. by sight…

16. or smell.

17. And you'll end up
with something
wonderful ...

18. Composting
done right!

19. CREDITS
Production costs for this title were underwritten by
McGill. Its use is permitted for educational purposes if
presented in its entirety and without editing or other
alteration. ©McGill Environmental Systems of N.C.
Inc. Questions? Call McGill HQ at 919-362-1161 or use
a contact form at www.mcgillcompost.com.