Preston Community Garden uses a composting system, turning kitchen scraps into rich organic soil.  Members can drop their scraps in the metal cans at our composting station.  The smaller the scraps are chopped, the better.  Compost requires an even mix of greens and browns.  Brown matter like straw, old leaves, and sawdust are rich in carbon; while green matter like leaves and food scraps are rich in nitrogen.  If you do not seal your scraps in an airtight container, it will not have a bad stench when you open it.  We suggest a bucket that is easy to carry when it is full, something with a lid too loose for a stench but too tight for rodents.  Many members choose to store scraps in the freezer.

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                        WHAT TO COMPOST

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• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Non-greasy food scraps such as rice, pasta, bread, and grains

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Non-plastic tea bags that are compostable

• Egg and nut shells

• Dried flowers and non-diseased houseplants

• Paper towels

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                   WHAT NOT TO COMPOST

  

• Meats

• Grease

• Dairy

• Animal waste

• Litter

• Coal or charcoal

• Diseased/infested or contaminated plants or soil

• Biodegradable/compostable plastics or diapers

• Weeds

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