Why Compost?
- Making your own compost is free and environmentally friendly
- It puts kitchen and other organic waste to good use
- It improves the soil in your garden
- It increases nutrients in the soil
- It encourages robust growth in your vegetable and flower gardens
Take a look in your dustbin and check with the list below. How much of this is potential compost which you are throwing away? Consider the price of ready made compost at your local garden centre and weigh this against the convenience of having a supply to hand in your own garden. Imagine the benefits to your garden and your health.
How To Make Compost
- Virtually anything that was once living can be turned into compost
- Use kitchen peelings, nettles, weeds (without seeds), grass mowings, chicken bedding, egg shells, horse manure, straw, cardboard., old plants, newspapers, waste paper including junk mail, sawdust, discarded and cut up woollen or pure cotton clothing, ash (in moderation) tea leaves, tea bags, coffee grouts,
Vacuum bag contents etc.
Which Containers?
- Buy readymade plastic ones
- Make your own open bottom box with planks
- Use metal or wooden uprights and wrap mesh and plastic around to form a simple container. A cardboard lining will encourage heat retention
- A box 3ft square is about the right size and allows room for you to fork the mixture over if you decide to turn it
Put your container in a sunny or semi shaded position. It needs the heat to energise it. Place it on the ground - it needs worms to find their way into it. If this is not possible add a few worms and some earth from the garden. Line the base with sticks to create space for the air to penetrate. Cover to keep the compost damp and warm. Exposure to rain will wash away the nutrients.
Vary the contents as you add to the compost heap, mixing grass cuttings with shredded cardboard, paper or twigs. Wrapping kitchen peelings in newspapers will discourage fruit flies. Screwed up newspapers will encourage aeriation.
If you turn the compost every month this will help to warm it up. Compost needs to reach a temperature of 60 Celsius (140 Fahrenheit). It will take between 4-12 months to mature but turning it once a month will shorten the process. The more effort you put in the less patience you will need!
Remember if you feed your garden it will feed you.
When To Compost
- The best time is today. The worst time is tomorrow!
