I have quite a pile of "carbon" materials--mostly what I cleared out of the garden last year. My pile of "nitrogen" materials is not so big. In fact, it's mostly kitchen scraps which equals a few 5-gallon buckets. I know that manure is also a source of nitrogen. Would it be too much to substitute mostly manure for the nitrogen materials? Our grass needs severe mowing, so I may have some good grass clippings soon. I guess what I'm asking, is how much is too much? What proportions do you recommend using?

yu can jsut let manure site & compost, but you can't let carbon stuff just sit & compost (not in a reaosnable amount of time if you can do otherwise). i just mix whatever i've got & be done with it. i'm just not into getting that scientific about it.

use what ya got, highest nitro level poss. but don't let that stop you from putting other stuff in. use the grass, great. use the kitchen scraps, great. thow some worms in there, great. have fun w/ it & don't stress over small stuff.

I couldn't have said it beter myself. Go for it and have fun:-) RJ

Grass is a great nitrogen source. Kitchen scraps are good too, but the nitrogen value varies depending on what it is. For example, peas shells have the perfect carbon to nitrogen ratio already so you really don't even need to add anything else to them. The problem with kitchen scraps is that they tend to be too wet. This will not be a problem for you since you have extra dry matter. Usually, the carbon matter is what is in short supply.

Mix it all together, and make some observations when you turn the pile. If it is smelly or too damp, add more dry matter. If it is dry or not composting quick enough add more green/wet matter. You will quickly get a feel for it. You'll find that the "exact" ratio of 32:1 isn't necessary, not to mention impossible for the average person to measure out. It may take more time, if the ration is off, but you will still get compost.