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Why send your waste to a landfill when you could create your own compost? Instead of piling your waste high let it return to the ground below.
There are two very good reasons to start your own compost pile or compost bin today. Firstly it will reduce the amount of garden and food waste that is sent to landfill. Secondly, this process creates the perfect habit for a community of minibeasts. Your compost will provide them with accommodation while they go to work helping the decaying process. These beasts also make a rather moreish snack for hedgehogs and other animals.
Compost, when added to existing soil, acts as a fertility booster for the foliage and flowers on your little spot of land. It helps build your plants resistance to insect attack and disease, reducing the need to use man-made products to assist your garden’s growth. Healthy soil equals, healthy plants equals, happy worms - among other wildlife.
The most key things you will need for this to be a successful venture is air and water ...check! Next is a cover for your heap, old carpet or plastic sheet works well - alternatively, you can buy a compost bin if you want a tidier look, but either is fine. Pick a spot that keeps things moist , the shadier the better. Make sure when adding any dry ingredients to your pile or bin that you wet them first, this could be with a hose, watering can or just left in the rain ...this is the UK so the latter won’t be an issue.
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Try to ensure an even split of the list above, if you have large quantities of trimmings or grass clipping, use sparingly and put any excess into your garden waste bin for collection.
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Collect up your materials - Save kitchen scraps in a food waste bin and at them in bulk among with other ingredients, such as prunings.
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Every 3 months - Use a gardening fork to mix the contents of your heap. This helps to aerate it a new lease of life.
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Remove your compost for use around your garden when it becomes dark and crumbly.
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Human poo & disposable nappies.
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Cat & Dog waste.
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Glossy paper and card.
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Weeds, wood stems & diseased plants.
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Coal & Ash.
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Cooked food, meat, fish & bones.
very important please read carefully
Small animals may hide in your compost heap so please be careful when using a fork to aerate. This is particular important in winter as your heap might be used as a hibernation spot for several creature, such as hedgehogs.
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Uncoated cardboard (eg. delivery boxes not cereal boxes).
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Fruit & Vegetable peels and cores.
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Dead leaves & grass cuttings.
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Dead plants, flowers, offcuts & prunings.
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Coffee grounds.
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Plastic-free tea bags.
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Animal droppings - such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
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Eggshells - These reduce the smell of your heap.
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Shredded newspaper - this helps to absorb moisture.
