Composting
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By far the best way to improve
your soil is to add as much organic matter as you can. The cheapest and one of
the best soil conditioners is home made compost. Compost making can be one of
the most satisfying garden activities. You start with an empty container, fill
it with garden and household waste, wait whilst it is naturally recycled into
rich, dark compost and then use it to improve your soil and grow plants.
Materials
The following
materials are ideal for composting.
• All animal
manures.
• Any plant material. (Avoid diseased
material)
• Straw.
• Paper.
• Vegetable
waste.
• Wood shavings/sawdust or chips.
• Any other
natural material that will decompose.
Basically anything can be used,
although it is said that you should avoid cooked foods and meat as these can
attract rodents. Any large woody material should be broken into smaller pieces
or shredded to increase the surface area. Large quantities of 'wet' material
should be mixed with drier woody material. Try and keep a bag of straw handy to
mix with your grass clippings, as these can turn to slime if added in thick
layers.
Suitable
Containers
Composting can be carried out in a covered heap to keep
excess moisture out or in a suitable container or bin. Such containers can be
bought and are often metal or plastic bins or wooden frames. Always make sure
your container has a lid to keep moisture out and heat in. Generally speaking a
plastic or even better a wooden container is better as they tend to be warmer.
The bacteria that cause material to decompose need warmth to work. Have a look
around your garden or a tip for a suitable container. An old dustbin or water
butt is fine, make some holes for drainage and aeration and always have at
least two heaps. One to be filled whilst the other is working.
Filling
When adding
material to your compost bin try and mix different materials together and avoid
putting thick layers of wet material in it. Another way to fill your compost
bin is to add composting materials in layers.
Activators
There
are many compost activators available all claiming to be the best to make rich,
dark compost. You shouldn't need to use them if you have a good container and
add composting materials sensibly. If you can get hold of some manure, add this
to your compost bin every 6"-12" layer. The manure contains natural compost
activators and bacteria that will speed up the composting process.
Turning/Mixing
Good
compost making involves turning the compost heap after about 2-3 months. This
is to mix the contents and re-introduce air and oxygen into the heap. This
simply involves emptying your compost bin and then, using a fork put it all
back in. This job can be made easier if you have two heaps or bins, simply
transfer from one bin to an empty bin. Although turning your compost heap does
make for better compost it is not essential. If a compost heap or bin is left
to itself, it will still make compost, it just takes longer.
Using Homemade
Compost
After 6-12 months your compost will be ready to use. The compost
should be dark, crumbly and sweet smelling. It may be necessary to use a sieve
to separate any un-composted material. Use your compost to improve your soil,
dig or hoe it into your borders and vegetable patch.
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