A Simple Guide to Composting

Though local councils provide bins for unwanted food and garden clippings, the most efficient method of reducing organic waste is to start your own compost heap. We say “heap” but there also are a lot of stylish compost bins on the market these days, so you can easily do it whichever way suits you best.

Whichever approach you take, composting is great for running a greener home and your garden will thank you for it too.

Choose a quality compost bin

You don’t have to spend much on a compost bin but make sure that it’s a strong and reliable one that can accommodate the amount of compost you want to create. Compost bins are a great way to hide the heap and contain unpleasant smells, plus they prevent swarms of flies and curious critters from making it their home.

Find the perfect spot

Your compost bin (or heap if you want to do it the traditional way) should be located in an area away from the house and on level land. If it’s a heap, the spot should also have good drainage so that heavy rain doesn’t flood the area.

Choose your ingredients wisely

You can add all sorts of things to your compost bin, which makes it a great way to put excess food and table scraps to good use. From leftover fruits and vegetables to eggshells, bread and coffee grounds, it’ll all turn into an enriching fertiliser for your plants.

You can also pop in garden waste such as grass clippings and tree leaves, as well as small amounts of black and white newspaper, printed paper and cardboard. However, it’s recommended that you don’t add the following items because they can cause very unpleasant odours and attract pests:

Meat, fish, egg, poultry scraps

Dairy products

Fats, grease, lard, oils

Also, don’t add the following because they can spread disease throughout the compost or pose a risk to plant health:

Coal and charcoal ash

Diseased or insect-ridden plants

Any weeds that have been treated with weedkiller

Balance the contents

The contents of your compost bin or heap need to be maintained at a certain balance. The trick is to aim for around 50% soft, green materials (food waste, small weeds, cut grass) and 50% brown materials (cardboard, used paper towels, dead plants). Too green will make the compost very sloppy and too brown will result in it being very thick and hard to distribute.

Aerate the mixture

Composting materials need air in order to effectively decompose. A simple way to do this is to add scrunched up cardboard every now and then, as this creates natural air pockets. The mixture will also need turning regularly, so purchase a suitable tool and do this every three days or so until the pile eventually stops self-heating.

When to use compost

There’s no set rule for how quickly compost reaches its optimum state. If the bin is in a warm, sunny spot and you fill it quickly and then leave it, the compost could be ready in as little as three months. If you add to the contents regularly, it’s best to leave it to do its thing for at least six months. Either way, once it’s turned into a dark, crumbly topsoil with an odour that’s earthy rather than rotten, it’s ready to use throughout your garden.

Finished compost is extremely rich in nutrients and perfect for flowerbeds. Whilst helping the soil around the plants to retain moisture, it can also prevent weeds and removes the need to buy chemical fertilisers. It really is a win-win situation!