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2torial #0847:
Learn2 Make a Compost Pile (continued)
 Avoid problem materials
Not all organic substances will yield nicely to
the composting process. Here are a few you should
keep out of your piles:
- Weeds should be avoided, especially
if they have gone to seed. Seeds don't break
down readily in compost piles and you may end up
spreading weeds in your garden by including
them.
- Steer clear of any rose bush refuse.
Roses get diseases such as rusts which affect
leaves. Some folks don't even include the
petals.
- Any manure from carnivores (meat
eaters). This includes dogs, cats, and other
meat-eating pets--and especially human waste.
This kind of manure can include diseases and
bacterial infections to which humans are
susceptible. Horse or cow manure are fine, as is
the manure of any animal that has a vegetarian
diet (zoos are an excellent source of exotic
offal, by the way). This isn't a bit a
vegetarian propaganda, but a simple
hard-and-fast rule.
- Meats or meat products, even though
they are high in nitrogen. Meats, raw or cooked,
attract critters that could tear up your
compost, and leave behind unhealthy droppings to
boot. Fish products, on the other hand, seem to
do just fine. Dried blood (found in farm supply
stores or large garden centers) is another
exception: it's a source of nitrogen, which you
may opt to add to your pile.
 Step
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