I don’t like Pine needles in my compost pile because they break down relatively slowly. The reason for the slow decay is that the needles are covered with a waxy layer that resists bacteria and fungi, and, like other fallen leaves, they have an excess of carbon relative to nitrogen. The process could be speeded up by shredding the needles, thereby offering bacteria and fungi greater surface area at which to “chew” away.
Interesting! I use cardboard as a mulch for my tomatoes because I have a problem with fungus on the plants. Would it be a good mulch for tomatoes? The cardboard is so ugly.
If I leave the grass clippings in the sun to totally dry until yellow before adding to the pile, do you think they count as a brown? I have tons of clippings and not many sources for leaves, etc.