Compost Carbon Nitrogen Ratio
Also known as the C/N ratio, the carbon nitrogen ratio of your compost heap is key to keeping a healthy mix of bacteria and decomposing matter.
To many greens and your compost emits excess ammonia and stinks. Too many browns and your compost doesn't decay swiftly. The bacteria are not getting
enough nitrogen to grow the colony.
Optimally, you want to target a 30:1 Carbone Nitrogen ratio in your compost heap. Before you let this number intimidate you, most greens have a 20:1 C/N ratio on there own. You are just making up the difference. So double up your browns to your greens and your C/N ratio for your compost should even itself out.
So, a 1.5:1 brown green ratio (or approximately 60%/40%) should fairly approximate the 30:1 Carbon Nitrogen ratio targeted by your compost pile.
Layer two parts leaves and one part grass clippings and presto, your compost heap creates its own balanced C/N ratio.