Garden Composting - DOit.television

Composting is important source of nutrients for any garden and it is a great way of reducing your household waste. Up to 80% of organic kitchen waste can be recycled. Compost is also a great fertilizer, which will improve soil structure, add extra nutrients, and attract worms into the garden. In addition to normal soil, compost will help the soil retain more water.

There a many different types and sizes of composting bins and materials to make compost bins out of - you can use wood, metal, plastic or brick to construct a compost bin. There are numerous sites and groups that you can visit in order to get information about composting. Contact your local council group or search online.

Compost can be produced from raw materials in six weeks to a month. In winter it may take longer than a month to decompose, as the cold may slow the decomposition process. Do not expect that your compost will immediately turn out like it does on TV. It may take a little experimentation to work out how to best use your compost bin and a turn around period of 3 months but here a few tips that will guide you:

The compost should be moist; if it gets too dry pour some water in it.
If it is too wet you can add some dry materials.
If it is too smelly you can add garden lime (to neutralize the smell) and turn the materials over with a fork.
If you start attracting vermin to your bin avoid adding cooked foods, which they may seek out.
Organic waste turns into compost faster in warm weather, so position the bin where it can get some sun.
The smaller the pieces the easier it they will decompose in the composting bin, try shredding some of your materials.
Using different textures will help aerate the compost and this will enable the materials to break down more easily.
Oxygen throughout the compost will accelerate the process so make sure you mix and turn the compost often.

Things to add to the compost:

All organic waste from kitchen and garden (except those that listed below)
Tea bags, tea leaves & coffee grounds
Manure, hair
Shredded leaves, twigs, grass cuttings, a small amount of soil
Paper waste although not too much and this should be torn up and mixed well with the compost

Things to leave out of the compost:

Meat, dairy, fish, breads, cakes, cooked foods - these will attract vermin
Dog or cat faces - as these can transmit diseases
Roots of plants that will regrow in the compost bin - dandelions
Grass cutting treated with chemicals
Tomato and potato plants shouldn't be composted - can transmit diseases

Links to check out for more information:
- Eco Gardener - Peter Rutherford
- Kimbriki
- Easy Composting Guide (PDF document)

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