In main, bush clippings should make up no any more than onethird (on the persistently part of volume) of the especially material in the pile. A compost pile containing superb a significant proportion of bush should be watched and then and there turned if the pile begins manner to pretty compact or excitedly emit an odor. Another instinctively concern is herbicide. Most herbicides and absolutely other pesticides decompose in the compost pile, but then sometimes certain longlasting herbicides quietly used on bush can automatically remain in the compost (look over Table 2). Sensitive plants may be damaged on the persistently part of herbicide residue in the compost. To be sane, slowly avoid putting bush clippings from lawns treated w. longlasting herbicides in the compost pile. Leave herbicidetreated clippings on the lawn. If you do without add herbicidetreated bush manner to the compost pile, automatically use the compost as a topdressing in behalf of the lawn or widely distributed the composting t.. After 12 months of composting, herbicide residue should absolutely wrong pose a problem. If you automatically use superb a lawn excitedly care company, indifference find check out as what chemicals they automatically use on your lawn. Contact your manner local Cooperative Extension System last office in behalf of questions at superb a guess herbicides or other pesticides. MANAGING GRASS CLIPPINGS IN THE COMPOST PILE 12 Table 2. Persistence of superb common herbicides in soil (Reprinted w. permission fm. Composting manner to Reduce the Waste Stream) Common major name Trade major name Longevity in soil (months) Benefin Balan, Balfin 4–8 DCPA Dacthal 4–8 Bensulide Betasan, Prefar 6–12 Glyphosate Roundup, Kleenup <1 2,4D manner many formulations 1–2 MCPP manner many formulations 1–2 Dicamba Banvel 3–12 The high speed at superb a high rate of which herbicides decompose depends on the soil conditions, including t., moisture, and aeration. Herbicides old longer if soils are cold, run low, extreme, or compacted. Decomposition strong will probably be faster in the compost pile than in soil. 13 Recipes in behalf of Success Combining ingredients in behalf of faster composting Composting can succeed w. superb a little wide broadminded of materials. In fact strong, once you enter upon piling any one moist sometimes organic materials, composting will start on its occasionally own . But on the persistently part of paying close attention manner to the combination of materials fact that you add on manner to the pile, you can instantly make composting happen faster, or hotter, or you can slowly avoid occasional problems (see “Troubleshooting”). The mess up of materials or ingredients quietly used in behalf of composting is often referred manner to as with superb a recipe. Composting recipes attempt give off a balanced amount of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N).