There are many reasons why home composting is good for the environment. Follow these links to find more information...
What is composting?
Composting is nature’s way of recycling and is the natural process in which organic material that was once living breaks down and rots if the conditions are right.
Composting is carried out by microscopic organisms, which break down the particles into smaller ones that they can use as food. The resultant material is a dark brown, soil-like material.
Why should I compost?
Home Composting is great for our environment!
It can significantly reduce the amount of our rubbish that needs to be transported to, and then disposed of in landfill sites. Approximately half the contents of the average household bin can be composted at home.
When biodegradable material such as garden waste and vegetable peelings rot down in a landfill site, it does so without air and creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
By composting at home you can produce your own nutirent rich compost which will improve the quality of your soil and will help your garden flourish naturally without the use of chemical fertilizers.
Composting can also save you money too as it can be used instead of buying peat based compost.
Composting is for everyone not just gardeners. Just give it a try to see how easy it is!
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What do I need to compost?
- A suitable container
- Kitchen and garden waste
- Warmth and moisture
- Air
How do I compost?
- Site your compost bin on bare soil which makes it very easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain access to the rotting material. It should also be on a level, well drained spot that is easy to get to all year round.
- The correct mix of ingredients needs to be added to your compost bin in order to make sure everything composts readily. It is important that you add both green and brown materials into your compost bin (see what to compost).
- Ensure that there is plenty of air in the compost – add leaves and scrunched up paper, or use a fork to mix the materials regularly. Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process so make sure you put in a good mix of green and brown material. The compost will also need water, if it’s too dry it won’t do anything.
- Keep adding materials, and when your compost resembles dark soil, it will be ready. This can take any time from 6 – 24 months.
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What to compost
Green materials are soft, quick to rot and high in nitrogen and moisture.
Green materials include:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Hedge trimmings
- Grass clippings
- Weeds (avoid persistent weeds & weeds in seed)
- Tea bags & coffee grounds
Brown materials are dry and slower to rot. They provide fibre, carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture.
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Scrunched up or shredded paper & card (egg boxes, toilet roll centres, envelopes)
- Crushed egg shells
- Dead cut flowers
Household waste such as vacuum dust, pet bedding, wood ash, and hair are also suitable items for your compost bin.
Do not compost
- Meat & bones
- Fish
- Dairy products
- Cooked Food
- Coal Ash
- Cat & dog litter/poo
- Baby’s nappies
Putting these in your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour. Also avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads. Remember that plastics, glass and metals are not suitable for composting and should be recycled separately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my compost smell?
A: The compost should not smell unpleasant – if it does then it needs air. Always add plenty of carbon-rich materials such as leaves, twigs and scrunched up paper, and make sure you turn your compost with a fork regularly which will help to aerate it.
How do I avoid attracting flies and other pests?
A: Do not add meat & fish or any cooked food. Try adding some soil, compost or wet newspaper to the top of your compost. Fruit flies are harmless – to get rid of them just leave the lid off your composter for a while.
What if my compost is dry?
A: Add water, plenty of nitrogen-rich materials, such as vegetable peelings, and turn your compost.
What if my compost is too wet?
A: Add more brown material such as leaves, twigs, scrunched up paper and card which are rich in carbon.
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Composting tips
To help speed up the composting process, add a handful of soil or finished compost. Young nettles and comfrey are also excellent compost accelerators.
When adding grass clippings to your compost, tear a newspaper into strips and add layers when putting your grass into the bin.
Use two compost bins – one can be composting whilst you fill the other. To reduce the amount of times you have to go to your compost bin, use a kitchen caddy to store your kitchens scraps.