More Compost Making FAQs
4. How will compost help my garden ?
Compost feeds the soil, helps with water retention and encourages earthworm into your garden.
5. My pile isn't breaking down ?
This c an be because there isn't enough material in your pile, or there is a lack of nitrogen rich materials (greens) in it. Or because it has dried out. Adding more green material will help to kick-start the process.
6. There are loads of flies in the compost
Small fruit flies will appear wherever there is fruit waste breaking down. They will not affect the compost and may attract brids to the garden. To minimise fruit fly numbers keep the lid on your compost and bury fruit waste under a layer of grass or leaves. Sprinkle some lime powder over the top which will reduce the acidity caused by the fruit. Larger house flies are attracted by meat waste - make sure you don't add any to your heap.
Compost feeds the soil, helps with water retention and encourages earthworm into your garden.
5. My pile isn't breaking down ?
This c an be because there isn't enough material in your pile, or there is a lack of nitrogen rich materials (greens) in it. Or because it has dried out. Adding more green material will help to kick-start the process.
6. There are loads of flies in the compost
Small fruit flies will appear wherever there is fruit waste breaking down. They will not affect the compost and may attract brids to the garden. To minimise fruit fly numbers keep the lid on your compost and bury fruit waste under a layer of grass or leaves. Sprinkle some lime powder over the top which will reduce the acidity caused by the fruit. Larger house flies are attracted by meat waste - make sure you don't add any to your heap.
How to make a good pile of compost.
Composting is a process which mimics nature by recycling organic garden material and food scraps into a valuable,
humus-rich soil amendment called compost.
humus-rich soil amendment called compost.
Step 1: Getting Started
It can be carried out in an open heap, an enclosed plastic bin or in a purpose built compost bay. Choose a warm, sheltered site away from close neighbours if you want to stay on friendly terms with them. start with a layer of coarse brown materials - twigs or wood chips are ideal. Then build alternate layers of green and brown material.
Step 2: Keeping it going
Continue to add a good mix of greens and browns. Once your nin is full, turning the contents using a garden fork will speed the process and give a m ore consistent product.
Avoid excessive moisture by keeping the heap covered. Ideally the compost will heat up as it breaks down, but this won' happen if you have a smaller bin or heap. Compost will take longer to make if the material stays cool.
Step 3: The final touches
Compost is ready when it becomes a d ark, crumbly material with an 'earthy' smell. F you turn your h eap often this can take as little as 7-9 weeks. If it is never turned, it will be ready in 12-18 months.
Step 4: Using the compost
Compost can be used as a mulch to prevent weed germination and to kekep moisture in your soil. Alternatively, compost can be dug in to improve soil fertility and drainage. Small amounts of sieved mature compost can be used as a component of a potting mix.
Note:
Material to avoid:
meat, fish and dairy products; cat and dog waste; oils and fats; diseased plants, bamboo, flax and cabbage tree leaves; weeds that have seeded.
Material to use:
Greens: grass, fruit, vegetable scraps, weeds, green leaves, manure.
Browns: twigs, sawdust (untreated), wood chips (untreated) bark, paper and cardboard, egg cartons, straw or hay.
It can be carried out in an open heap, an enclosed plastic bin or in a purpose built compost bay. Choose a warm, sheltered site away from close neighbours if you want to stay on friendly terms with them. start with a layer of coarse brown materials - twigs or wood chips are ideal. Then build alternate layers of green and brown material.
Step 2: Keeping it going
Continue to add a good mix of greens and browns. Once your nin is full, turning the contents using a garden fork will speed the process and give a m ore consistent product.
Avoid excessive moisture by keeping the heap covered. Ideally the compost will heat up as it breaks down, but this won' happen if you have a smaller bin or heap. Compost will take longer to make if the material stays cool.
Step 3: The final touches
Compost is ready when it becomes a d ark, crumbly material with an 'earthy' smell. F you turn your h eap often this can take as little as 7-9 weeks. If it is never turned, it will be ready in 12-18 months.
Step 4: Using the compost
Compost can be used as a mulch to prevent weed germination and to kekep moisture in your soil. Alternatively, compost can be dug in to improve soil fertility and drainage. Small amounts of sieved mature compost can be used as a component of a potting mix.
Note:
Material to avoid:
meat, fish and dairy products; cat and dog waste; oils and fats; diseased plants, bamboo, flax and cabbage tree leaves; weeds that have seeded.
Material to use:
Greens: grass, fruit, vegetable scraps, weeds, green leaves, manure.
Browns: twigs, sawdust (untreated), wood chips (untreated) bark, paper and cardboard, egg cartons, straw or hay.