Compost or Not

Can I Compost Vegetable tops?

Yes

Vegetable tops can be composted.

What to Know

  • Vegetable tops, such as carrot greens, beet leaves, and radish tops, are excellent additions to your compost pile
  • They are rich in nutrients and break down quickly, contributing to the 'green' or nitrogen-rich materials in your compost

Tips

  • Chop vegetable tops into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition
  • Mix them with 'brown' materials like dry leaves or straw to maintain a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio
  • If you have a large amount of vegetable tops, add them gradually to avoid creating a wet, slimy layer in your compost