University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Greens are nitrogen-rich organic composting materials such as vegetable peels, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, and fresh grass clippings. In a compost pile, microorganisms utilize this nitrogen to build essential proteins. Too many greens make a wet, smelly pile that releases ammonia.

Greens in Composting

What three problems occur in a compost pile when too many green materials are added?

Explain the defining characteristics of greens in composting, their biological function for microorganisms in the compost pile, and give examples of materials that fall into this category.

To maintain microbial activity and decomposition efficiency, a compost pile requires an appropriate balance of carbon and nitrogen. A standard practical rule of thumb is to combine roughly three parts browns to one part greens by volume, which yields an optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio near $30:1$.

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