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13 Things You Should Never Compost in Your Garden

November 5, 2022


If you’re looking to start composting in your garden, there are a few things you should avoid adding to your pile.

1. Food scraps – While composting is a great way to reduce your food waste, there are certain types of food that should never be composted. This includes meat, dairy, and oils, which can attract pests and cause odors.

2. Pet waste – While pet waste can technically be composted, it is not recommended. This is because it can contain harmful bacteria that can contaminate your soil.

3. Diseased plants – If you have plants that are diseased or infested with pests, do not compost them. This is because the diseases and pests can spread to other plants in your garden.

4. Invasive plants – Invasive plants are those that spread rapidly and can crowd out other plants. While they may be okay to compost in some cases, it is best to avoid composting them if possible.

5. Synthetic materials – Synthetic materials, such as plastics and metals, should not be composted. This is because they will not break down and will only contaminate your compost.

6. Chemically treated materials – Materials that have been treated with chemicals, such as pressure-treated wood, should not be composted. This is because the chemicals can leach into the soil and contaminate your plants.

7. Diseased animals – If you have an animal that has died from a disease, do not compost it. This is because the disease could spread to other animals or humans.

8. Human waste – Human waste, such as feces and urine, should not be composted. This is because it can contain harmful bacteria that can contaminate your soil.

9. Ashes – Ashes from cigarettes, fires, or grills should not be composted. This is because they can contain harmful chemicals that can contaminate your soil.

10. Weeds – While some people compost weeds, it is not recommended. This is because they can spread their seeds and cause more weeds to grow.

11. Diseased animals – If you have an animal that has died from a disease, do not compost it. This is because the disease could spread to other animals or humans.

12. Rocks and gravel – While rocks and gravel will not break down, they can be added to your compost pile. However, they will not add any nutrients to your soil.

13. Yard waste – While yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings, can be composted, it is best to avoid it. This is because it can contain chemicals that can contaminate your soil.

Common Questions Roundup:

1. What are some of the things you should never compost in your garden?
2. Why should you never compost pet waste?
3. Why should you never compost diseased plants?
4. What happens if you compost invasive plants?
5. What will happen if you compost synthetic materials?
6. What will happen if you compost chemically treated materials?
7. What will happen if you compost diseased animals?
8. What will happen if you compost human waste?
9. What will happen if you compost ashes?
10. What will happen if you compost weeds?

Answers to common questions:

1. You should never compost in your garden things like meat, dairy, oils, or processed foods.
2. You should never compost pet waste because it can contain harmful bacteria that can infect other plants and animals.
3. You should never compost diseased plants because they can spread their diseases to other plants.
4. If you compost invasive plants, they may spread their invasiveness to other areas.
5. If you compost synthetic materials, they will not break down and will just take up space.
6. If you compost chemically treated materials, the chemicals may leach into the soil and contaminate it.
7. If you compost diseased animals, the diseases may spread to other animals or plants.
8. If you compost human waste, it can contain harmful bacteria that can infect other plants and animals.
9. If you compost ashes, they may contain harmful toxins that can contaminate the soil.
10. If you compost weeds, they may spread their seeds and invade other areas.

Tl;dr

Do not compost meat, dairy, oils, pet waste, diseased plants, invasive plants, synthetic materials, chemically treated materials, human waste, ashes, weeds, diseased animals, or rocks and gravel.