Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic material like leaves, grass clippings, food scraps and paper into a nutrient-rich, soil-like material which is great for the garden! When properly maintained compost has no unpleasant odours.
Composting is best suited to homes that have a garden, as you need to have soil under the compost bin or enclosure.
Using a composting bin or making a composting enclosure are options depending on the garden space available. Ready made composting bins are available at garden centres or hardware stores.
The best compost needs a good balance of four basic ingredients: greens + browns + water + air.
Note: Food scraps and garden material compost much quicker when chopped into smaller pieces. Paper products can be ripped into small pieces and soaked in water before composting.
Locate your compost in a sheltered, level area of the garden with good drainage and access. The site should be within reach of a garden hose, and preferably not in full sun. The compost heap should sit directly on the soil.
Start by digging up the soil to aid drainage and encourage earthworms into the compost. If using an enclosed bin, raise it up on a few bricks.
First add a 100–150mm layer of coarse organic material to ensure good drainage and ventilation.
Next add equal amounts by volume of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ organic material, in layers. Fluff and partially mix materials and add water as you go to ensure the heap does not get compacted and dry. The compost needs to be moist and should have the consistency of a squeezed out sponge. Cover the compost with the lid of the compost bucket and leave for a few days.
Within a day or two, the material may heat up and start to shrink. Don't be alarmed if this doesn't occur as the composting process is still happening. To speed up the process, try adding some more 'green' material to the compost (like lawn clippings) with some water.
Continue to build the compost heap by adding ‘green’ and ‘brown organic material and water.
When the bin, enclosure or heap is full, tightly fit the lid, or cover with straw, soil, old sacks or similar materials. Leave the compost to mature. This can take several weeks to months to occur depending on the time of the year. During this time no new material should be added.
You will need to start another bin, enclosure or heap while waiting for the first one to mature.
Decomposition takes time. Turning the heap is not essential but will speed up the process. Composting takes about 3-4 months if the heap is turned and up to 9-12 months if it is not.
For best results, the heap should be turned once every 4-6 weeks - this will aerate it, expose fresh material for more rapid decomposition, redistribute the decomposer organisms and allow you to add water if required.
Compost can be used at any time of the year, although for best results it should be dug into existing soil in the autumn or spring. Dig the compost into the top 50-100mm of the soil surface to improve soil texture, structure and fertility.
Compost and soil contain various living organisms that have, on rare occasions, been associated with illness and allergies in humans (usually people with compromised immune systems or respiratory illness). For this reason it is important to take the following precautions when working with compost:
