Home Composting

Composting is good for the environment                                  

• Home composting can divert about one third of you household  waste from landfill sites, where it would otherwise create polluting gases and run-off.
• It returns organic matter to your garden soil  reducing your use of natural resources, such as peat and the materials used to make artificial fertilisers
• It can help reduce your reliance on artificial pesticides and so encourage more of 'the gardener's friendly organisms' which do a lot of your gardening for you and attract a greater diversity of birds and butterflies to your garden

How to build a compost heap

Compost can be made in a simple heap on the ground covered with plastic or old carpet to keep it moist.

 Most people use some form of container as it looks neater, is easier to manage and speeds up the composting process. Compost bins need only keep the heat and moisture in.  If you want detailed ideas or plans, try a good gardening book from your local library.

What to put in your compost heap

To make a good compost you need to aim for a 50% greens and 50% browns mix

• "Greens" - Grass cuttings, weeds, fruit & vegetable scraps, plant remains, old flowers and bedding plants, young hedge clippings and poultry manure
• "Browns" - Tea bags, coffee grounds and coffee filters, egg shells, dried grass and weeds, old straw and hay, wood ash, cardboard - e.g. cereal boxes and corrugated board (avoid cartons and sticky tape), paper towels, napkins, bags and packaging, egg boxes.  All the cereal boxes, corrugated cardboard, paper towels, napkins, bags, packaging and egg boxes must be scrunched up to allow adequate air circulation.

Do not compost

• Meat and fish
• Fats and oils
• Dairy products
• Coal and coke ash
• Cat litter or Dog faeces
• Glossy paper and newspapers (recycle them instead!)
• Plants infected with persistent diseases such as clubroot and white rot
• Pine needles

How Compost Adds To Your Soil

• Increases organic matter
• Builds sound root structure
• Improves drainage in clay soils
• Improves moisture retention in sandy soils
• Attracts and feeds earthworms
• Balances soil pH
• Helps reduce soil erosion
• Reduces plant stress from drought and freezing
• Increases vitamin and mineral content in food crops

Further Information

For further information visit  The Composting Association.