Greens. It seems to me that compost should have a certain amount of greens (fresh grass clippings, etc) and a certain amount of browns (dried leaves, etc).

What should never be put in a compost mix is meat scraps, eggs, anything that would attract cats, dogs, (or if you're up north, bears) etc.

I'll see what I can find for greens. Are meats and eggs a no no because of animals, or do they have a negative effect on the process? This is a sealed unit, except for some holes and also supported off the ground so it's not like anything can get into it.

When it comes to yard materials, will those helicopter seeds break down at any point to be usable or are weeds and seed items generally a bad idea?

Scott

I think the "no meat" rule is about animals, about the way meat decomposes relative to plants (a lot slower), and about the dangerous types of bacteria it attracts as it breaks down.

I put helicopters in my compost all the time. They decompose directly or sprout and then decompose as the sprouts get mixed back in. If the compost is fully broken down, they won't be a problem.

You want to avoid putting in weeds that have gone to seed though, e.g., dandelions. Those seeds seem a lot hardier. Okay before they have flowers though.

For greens, I use leftover produce from the kitchen and soft greens from thinning plants (a never-ending supply of lily of the valley leaves).