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Each ingredient has a typical carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. The pile ratio is a weight-averaged blend of all inputs.
C:N = total carbon units / total nitrogen unitsBrowns (dry leaves, cardboard) add carbon and structure. Greens (food scraps, grass clippings) supply nitrogen and moisture.
Most active piles compost well between roughly 25:1 and 35:1 C:N. Too much nitrogen smells; too much carbon stalls.
Updated: July 2026
Balance nitrogen-rich clippings with dry leaves or shredded paper to stay near 30:1.
Add cardboard or straw so the pile does not turn anaerobic and sour.
Manure blends shift C:N quickly. Model small additions before mixing into a large bin.
Bread and citrus behave differently from vegetable trimmings. Use representative C:N values, not one generic number.
Ammonia odor often means excess nitrogen or poor aeration, not just wrong ratio. Turn the pile and add browns.
Balance browns and greens before you build the pile. Enter material types and weights to estimate overall C:N ratio and adjust for faster, odor-free composting.