How to Balance Browns and Greens in Your Compost Pile

If you’ve ever tried composting and ended up with a smelly, slimy mess—or a dry pile that doesn’t seem to break down—chances are your compost is out of balance. One of the most important (but often misunderstood) parts of composting is getting the right mix of “browns” and “greens.”

When you balance these correctly, composting becomes easy, effective, and even odour-free. It’s nature’s recipe—and once you get the hang of it, your compost pile will transform into rich, earthy material that your garden will love.

What Are Browns and Greens?

It’s not about colour—it’s about carbon and nitrogen.

• “Browns” = Carbon-rich materials that provide structure and airflow.

• “Greens” = Nitrogen-rich materials that feed the microbes and speed up decomposition.

Both are essential. The goal is to give microbes the energy (carbon) and protein (nitrogen) they need to break down organic waste efficiently.

Examples of Browns (Carbon-Rich Materials) 🍂

These materials are usually dry and fibrous:

• Dry leaves

• Twigs and small branches

• Shredded newspaper

• Cardboard (plain, non-coated)

• Sawdust or wood shavings

• Straw or hay

• Paper towels (unsoiled with grease)

✅ Browns help keep your pile from becoming wet and smelly. They also add structure to allow air to flow.

Examples of Greens (Nitrogen-Rich Materials) 🍌

These are moist, fresh materials that break down quickly:

• Vegetable peels and scraps

• Fruit cores and skins

• Coffee grounds

• Tea leaves and used tea bags (without plastic)

• Fresh grass clippings

• Garden trimmings

• Manure from herbivores (like rabbits or chickens)

✅ Greens provide the nutrients that fuel microbial activity and heat.

The Ideal Ratio: 2 to 3 Parts Browns to 1 Part Greens

A good rule of thumb is to add two to three times more browns than greens by volume. This keeps your compost:

✅ Aerated

✅ Odour-free

✅ Breaking down efficiently

💡 If your compost is too wet or smelly, add more browns.💡 If it’s dry and not breaking down, add more greens or a bit of water.

How to Layer Your Compost Pile

1. Start with a layer of browns (e.g., shredded cardboard or dry leaves).

2. Add a layer of greens (e.g., food scraps or grass clippings).

3. Repeat, always finishing with a brown layer on top to reduce odours and deter flies.

4. Turn the pile every 1–2 weeks to introduce oxygen and speed up decomposition.

💡 Tip: Keep a bucket of browns next to your compost bin so it’s easy to sprinkle on top of every green addition.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

🚫 Too many greens = slimy, smelly compost→ Fix it by mixing in shredded cardboard, dry leaves, or sawdust.

🚫 Too many browns = dry, slow-to-decompose pile→ Add more food scraps or water to activate the microbes.

🚫 Big chunks = slow composting→ Chop or shred larger items like corncobs, branches, and cardboard.

Quick Compost Balancing Tips

✅ Chop kitchen scraps into smaller pieces for faster breakdown.

✅ Don’t compost oily or cooked food—stick to fresh plant-based scraps.

✅ Turn your pile often, especially if it starts to cool down.

✅ Keep your compost as moist as a wrung-out sponge—not too wet, not too dry.

Don’t Have Time to Balance It Yourself? We’ve Got You Covered

At The Compost Kitchen, we’ve perfected the composting process so you don’t have to worry about balancing browns and greens at home.

✅ We collect your food scraps.

✅ We process them with earthworms into premium vermicompost.

✅ You reduce your waste—and your garden gets all the benefits.

🌱 Join The Compost Kitchen today and compost the easy, mess-free way.