By Teri S. Holmes, Tulsa Master Gardener

1. Composting
When things
aren’t working
OSU Extension
Master Gardener Program
Presented by
Teri S. Holmes
Ask a Master Gardener

2. KEYS TO COMPOSTING
 Moisture
 Aeration
 Microorganisms
 Volume—3ft x 3ft
 Surface Area
 Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
—”brown” stuff and
“green” stuff—25:1 is
ideal
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3. COMPOST MATERIALS
Acceptable materials Unacceptable materials
 Clean paper  Dairy Products
 Coffee and tea grounds and  Fats, grease, lards or oils
filters  Meats, fish bones, or scraps
 Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint  Pet wastes (dog and cat
 Eggshells primarily)
 Fruits and vegetables  Diseased, insect-ridden plants
 Grass clippings  Black walnut leaves or twigs
 Hay and straw  Coal or charcoal ash
 Houseplants
 Leaves
 Nut shells
 Sawdust
 Shredded newspaper
 Wood chips
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4. Diagnosing Failure to Thrive
 Pile doesn’t seem to be decomposing:
 Is the pile dry?
 Add water until sponge wet
 Has the pile “compacted”?
 Aerate pile
 Is the pile too wet?
 Add dry carbon material
 Do you have sufficient “mass”?
 Add more compostibles to the pile.
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5. Diagnosing Failure to Thrive
 Pile doesn’t seem to be decomposing:
 Is the pile in contact with soil?
 Remove any barriers between soil and pile/bin.
 Are materials chopped/shredded?
 Shred/tear/smash/chop materials into smaller
pieces to create more surface area.
 Is the pile exposed to the elements?
 Do not seal pile off from weather elements (e.g.
cover and seal with black plastic).
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6. Diagnosing Failure to Thrive
 My pile STINKS!!!
 Is the pile too wet?
 Add dry material
 Is the pile compacted?
 Aerate
 Have you added meats, fats, or oils?
 Remove IMMEDIATELY! Consider disposing of all
material and starting over.
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7. Other Issues
 Help!! I think animals are living in my pile!
 Don’t make your pile attractive to wildlife:
 NO meats, fats, or oils.
 Cover/bury spoiled, overripe fruits and vegetables
in the pile.
 Utilize a bin instead of just piling on the ground.
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8. Other Issues
 I can’t keep my dog out of the compost!!
 No meats, fats or oils.
 Use a bin with a lid
 Bury all overripe fruits and vegetables
 Warning: Onions are toxic to canines.
 Causes a form of hemolytic anemia.
 Consider fencing off the area.
Ask a Master Gardener

9. RESOURCES
Composting
 Leaf Composting, Recycling Yard Waste: “Don’t Bag It”, OSU Extension
Service brochure L-252
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2865/L-
252.pdf
 Backyard Composting in Oklahoma. OSU Extension Service Fact Sheet, F-
1744
 Composting, USEPA.
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/composting/index.htm
 Keeping Organics out of Landfills. USCC. www.compostingcouncil.org
Vermicomposting
 Vermicomposting. USEPA.
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/composting/vermi.htm
 Vermicomposting—Composting with Worms. OSU Extension Fact
sheet, BAE-1742.
 California Integrated Waste Management. Vermicomposting.
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Worms/WormFact.htm#02
Ask a Master Gardener