Lime to Add Calcium Lime is beneficial for such compost piles, so long as it does not make the pile too alkaline. When compost has finished decomposing, it mellows. When compost mellows, bacteria that turn atmospheric nitrogen into food nitrogen for plants become active.Click to see full answer. Similarly, it is asked, what will make compost break down faster?If there is one secret to making fast compost, it is finely shredding the carbon rich ingredients such as fallen leaves, hay, straw, paper and cardboard. Shredding increases the surface area that the compost microbes have to work on and provides a more even distribution of air and moisture among the materials.Similarly, does lime kill earthworms? The wrong kind of lime can kill worms. Lime is usually used to correct acidity (The pH of the heap will favour bacteria between pH 6 & 7.5. Fungi work well between 5.5 & 8.). Acidity is often detected by smell. In this way, what should you not put in compost? Dog and Cat Poop. Horse, cow, chicken and rabbit droppings are great additions to your compost pile. Tea and Coffee Bags. Citrus Peels and Onions. Fish and Meat Scraps. Glossy or Coated Paper. Sticky Labels on Fruits and Vegetables. Coal Fire Ash. Sawdust From Treated Wood. Does lime accelerate decomposition?Adding hydrated lime will accelerate the process of decomposition because we are reducing the acid level. This will mean that nitrogen will be released faster than if we used no hydrated lime at all.