We hold regular garden -related workshops and a very popular one is compost making. It takes a bit of time but with a bit of effort you could be transforming your garden waste into a wonderful organic material to add back into your garden.
WHAT IS COMPOST? Compost is the name we give to organic material that we can create in a garden setting and can be used to grow plants in or improve garden soil. It is formed naturally as organic material is broken down by fungi and bacteria. As part of the composting process we try to create the best conditions for it to happen quickly.
WHERE SHOULD YOU PUT YOUR COMPOST AREA? Most of us try to site our compost areas away from the main garden as it doesn’t look very bonnie. Ideally you want the compost heap to be on top of soil. This allows worms and bacteria to migrate up into the compost and do their work. The heap will benefit from warmth and moisture so don’t site it in deep shade.
The ideal compost bin is:
- has no gaps in the sides and may be insulated with cardboard or straw
- Have 2 or 3 bins so you can have one you are adding to, one in the process of breaking down and one ready to use.
And is located:
- in a sunny or semi-shaded position
- directly on the soil or turf
WHAT TO PUT IN THE COMPOST HEAP? Anything that was once living can in theory be composted. It is important to learn how to balance the greens and the browns.
Items you can add to your compost bin:
GREENS -
Grass cuttings and moss , Young weeds, Nettles (not roots), Comfrey leaves, Urine (ideally diluted 20:1),Uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings, Tea leaves and coffee grounds, Soft green prunings, Animal manure from herbivores eg cows and horses, Poultry manure (just be aware of your source and ensure the animals have not been receiving any medical treatment before you use the manure eg. worming tablets).
BROWNS-
Cardboard eg cereal packets, toilet roll tubes and egg boxes, Waste paper and junk mail, Paper towels & bags, Bedding (hay, straw, shredded paper, wood shavings) from vegetarian pets like rabbits and guinea pigs.
Tough hedge clippings, Woody prunings, Straw.
HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN? You can add to your heap all the time. If you are cold composting you can just add a mix of greens and browns and let nature do the rest. If you are hot composting then chop everything up small, try to add everything at once along with existing compost heap material and keep turning the heap every couple of weeks. Cold composting can take a year whilst hot will only take a few months. Your compost should end up dark and crumbly and sweet-smelling when it’s ready to use. You may want to sieve it before you use it and put the larger lumps back into the heap. HEALTH & SAFETY- Always wear gloves and wear a mask if you are handling or turning the heap.
PROBLEMS- Slugs, flies, rodents, smell, too wet, too dry.
If the process isn’t working you will get a range of issues. The heap should be moist but not wet, if it is too dry the process won’t work. You may have to water the heap or keep it covered. If there are flies around the heap or it smells bad then you need to mix it up and add plenty of brown material to try to get the balance back. There should be some heat in any heap so this will deter rodents. Don’t worry if you see slugs in the heap. They play a vital role breaking down organic material. If you see clumps of slug eggs in the heap (round/oval white eggs about 2-3mm in diameter laid in big clumps) remove them.
Useful Websites: https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/composting
https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/the-absolute-beginners-guide-to-composting/
https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/garden-management/composting/composting-hints-and-tips
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/easy-guide-to-composting
