Composting

A ROUGH GUIDE TO COMPOSTING

Apart from saving you money at the Garden Center, composting helps to reduce overall waste and improve the quality of your garden soil, it can also be used for potted plants and spread on your lawns.

What is compost and how do I make it?

Compost is created when organic material (plant matter) is allowed to decompose into a soil like material called which we call compost.

Many things help in the decaying process such as insects, earthworms, bacteria and fungi, with the two crucial materials that make this process being nitrogen (grass, manure, food scraps) and carbon (leaves, paper).

It is up to you how fast you want this process to take place; the more you put into your bin, the sooner you will have your finished compost.

How do I begin?

If you are resident in the United Kingdom, most Local Councils have some incentives for you start your own composting, often by means of a discounted purchase of a suitable compost bin,. So check with your Local Council, before rushing out to buy one.

Having decided upon the size of compost bin which suits your needs, set it up away from the house in a sunny area with good drainage. In order to ensure good ventilation and stop the bottom of the compost heap from getting soggy it is a good idea to place it on some bricks or concrete blocks.

Place leaves, twigs, and other carbon substances at the bottom of your pile to assist in air circulation and layer on the rest of your other items whilst adding water periodically.

Do not use large branches and always be sure to chop and shred everything before you add it to your compost pile, the smaller the bits the faster breakdown.

Within a few days your pile will become hot and ready for turning, which should be done around twice a month. A good compost heap should be moist and sponge-like to the touch.

It is not uncommon for the center of a compost heap to reach above 60º C. And the rough rule of thumb is, the hotter the center, the faster breakdown will occur.

REMEMBER

The key to healthy compost is to use materials that are nitrogen or carbon-based, such as:-

Chopped leaves

Dry grass

Plants and weeds (Make sure that they are not seeding)

Old potting soil

Soft plant stems

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Crushed egg shells

Tea bags

Coffee grounds with filters

Shredded paper

Nut shells

DO NOT USE

Meat, fish, Chicken bones and other waste food as these will create a nasty smell and attract rodents and other unpleasant creatures.

The following are also not a good idea, some for obvious reasons, but you would be amazed at some of the items which we have come across·

Plastics, Metals, Fats, oils, Dairy products, mayonnaise, Pet waste, Cheese, meat, gravies, sauces etc;

Avoid composting Ivy as this will act like a weed and disrupt the composting process

With weeds in general if there is the slightest chance that they are seeding then leave them out. If they go into the mix, then afterwards, you will be spreading compost with weed seeds all over your lawn!