The Best Guide to Complete Home Composting

The most important factor to consider with organic growing is the soil. Soil management is the cornerstone of successful organic vegetable growing. Chemicals are toxins, relying on artificial fertilisers to grow is going against nature itself.

Compost is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling, contrary to most people’s belief of it being a dirty and smelly material. It can be made of any combination of recycled garden and kitchen waste, and can also include paper products. It is used to feed and condition the soil and in making potting mixes.

Making compost is often considered to be complex but all you need to do is provide the right ingredients and let nature do the rest – but by following some simple tips you definitely will be able to make a much better quality compost.

There are a huge selection of different compost bins/boxes available to buy commercially. Your local council may also offer some scheme that helps in subsidising the cost of purchasing one. But if you fancy having a go at making your own, it is incredibly easy to do. Follow these instructions in making your own compost bin.

How do I make compost?

The simplest and tidiest way to make compost at home is by using a home compost bin. The composting process is caused by the combination of four key elements:

• brown organic materials – such as leaves
• green organic materials – such as grass
• air
• water
• by mixing all four together, carbon is produced.

Adding air from the atmosphere, and moisture from the material itself will start the composting process. Composting will happen whatever, so don’t be too concerned about getting the mix exactly right.

If you are going to compost at home only put the following materials into your compost bin:

• raw vegetable peelings and fruit
• shredded paper/soft card
• straw or hay – chopped if possible (helps speed the process up)
• egg shells – crushed if possible
• grass cuttings (remember to mix different materials with grass cuttings)
• plant trimmings and flowers
• tea bags/coffee granules
• small amounts of leaves
• animal bedding (from vegetarian pets only)

Do NOT add the following to a compost bin:

• meat or fish (cooked or raw)
• coal ash
• dog or cat mess
• nappies and used tissues
• persistent weeds
• dairy products
• cooked or baked foods
• coloured and shiny paper
• plastic, glass or metal

Hints and tips

• Place your compost bin in the sun as this will increase the temperature inside the unit, and will help speed up the composting process.
• Ensure a good circulation of air in the compost bin, by layering twigs, cut flowers or remains of house plants at the bottom of the unit.
• Layers of fruit, vegetable and garden waste can then be added, mixed if possible.
• Try not to over fill the compost bin – make sure you can close the lid.

As the material composts in the bin it will become increasingly moist, and will begin to condense, this reduces the amount of air inside the bin.

Ensure a good circulation of air by poking the compost with a stick or garden fork to create air channels in the compost. This will help the composting process and stop it from turning into a smelly soup-like consistency.