Home Composting

Home composting is an environmentally friendly process that is both an enjoyable and compulsive gardening activity, with the added value that it is inexpensive to sustain. Why not try a compost bin or pit in your garden and see what benefits it can give you?

What is the difference between a compost bin and compost pit?

A compost bin is a neat option for those with limited space, who also wants the added benefit of allowing the physical process of compost formation to occur out of sight, within the bin. Whereas a compost pit is literally where you dig a pit and submerge your waste below ground. It will avoid the unsightly view of a traditional compost heap and will create a warm environment to activate the composting process.

Top Tip for a compost bin: Site it in a sunny and accessible spot, preferably on bare soil. If you only have a hard standing, you should insulate the bottom with a layer of paper or twigs. When you have filled the bin to its capacity with waste, simply leave it to do its thing for 9 to 12 months, after which fresh compost can be shovelled out from the hatch at the bottom.

Top tip for a compost pit: Add the waste in layers; incorporate a thin layer of soil in between, until the pit is full. Then grow some hungry feeders such as potatoes or runner beans on top; the compost can be removed for use the following season.

So what should you put into your compost mix?

•    Try a 50:50 mix of green and brown products from your garden and add grass cuttings and prunings from shrubs and trees, including twigs, but avoid perennial weeds.

•    Ensure that any infested or diseased material is omitted.

•    From your kitchen, regularly fill a caddy with fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags, toilet roll tubes and cereal boxes.

•    Do not add any cooked food, meat or poultry.

What are the advantages of home compost?

•    Fresh compost can be incorporated into your soil at the time of planting trees and shrubs.

•    It can be used as a top dressing to replenish the nutrient content of your soil and will also improve the structure of the soil and may also help to stabilize the pH.

•    As a mulch, it will suppress weeds, keep moisture in and stop soil erosion.

•    You can even add it to a potting compost mix, but it would need to be sieved to ensure a finer grade

•    Notcutts compost guide list more benefits of maintaining a compost heap