COMPOST and HOW TO MAKE COMPOST

A compost bin or compost heap is the centre of garden activity. Life begins here with nutrient rich compost being provided for new plantings. Life ends here with plants, leaves and grass clippings ending up in the compost.

How to make compost.
Composting can be carried out in a number of ways.

Compost Bins.


Usually these are large plastic bins that may be either fully enclosed or they may sit on the ground. Compost bins can help keep vermin away if you use an enclosed system. Compost bins can be difficult to turn and therefore slower than conventional compost heaps or tumblers.

Compost Tumblers.

Again they are usually plastic, sometimes metal, they can be rotated to mix and areate the composting materials. Tumblers work best when they are filled and then turned, not added to to little by littles

Compost Heaps or Piles.


Compost heaps are just that, a heap of compostable materials, layed and turned regularly. With a proper mix of materials and regular turning compost heaps are relatively quick to make compost.

What to compost.
Leaves, Lawn clippings, vegetable scraps, none weedy plants, coffe grounds, eggshells, tea leaves, sawdust from non treated timber, shredded paper, manure from plant eating animals and seaweed all make good compost.


TOP TEN COMPOSTING TIPS.

  • Collect materials in piles throughout the year.
  • Add a little soil to the compost.
  • Layer your compost with wet and dry materials. Compost piles mage of lawn or grass clippings need carbon added, otherwise they just tend to ferment and smell.
  • Add some manure or blood and bone, to kick start your compost.
  • Add water if the compost gets to dry, add shredded paper or cardboard if it gets to wet.
  • Turn your compost heap regularly.
  • Avoid adding new materials to a compost heap once you have started the process.
  • Make sure your compost is fully decomposed before using on the garden. Compost shouls look and smell like good soil when redy to use.
  • The warmer the compost heap the quicker it will decompose, so choose a sunny spot.
  • Do not compost meat, droppings from any carnivourous animal, fat etc. Or weeds treated with herbicides.

USING COMPOST ON THE GARDEN

  • Try mixing a few handfulls of compost with water to make a liquid fertilizer.
  • Dig compost into the soil a few weeks before planting.