Composting

by Star

The Importance Of Composting

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into rich soil known as compost. By composting your organic waste you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue. Along with fuel efficiency, water conservation and reduction in meat consumption, home composting is one of the most environmentally beneficial activities you can do to help the planet. Organic waste that is sent to landfill sites is unable to decompose properly due to being squashed under all the other waste, so has no access to air; this means methane a powerful greenhouse gas is produced which contributes to global warming.

Choosing A Compost Bin For Those With A Garden Or Larger Space

It's down to personal preference what kind of bin you choose. Ready-made bins come in different shapes and sizes. In cooler climates, it's advisable to choose a black one, as this attracts more heat from the sun.

Check out your local council; most councils now supply composters at very cheap cost, often much cheaper than else where. To find out special compost bin offers in your region, just enter your post code at the following link : http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/in_your_area/in_your_area.html

Getting Started

Place your bin on the earth, on a level well-drained spot. This allows excess water to drain out and makes it easier for worms, beneficial microbes and insects to gain access and get working on breaking down contents.

Placing your bin in a partially sunny spot can help speed up the process. Make sure the bottom lip of the bin is buried under the soil's surface, to help prevent unwanted rodents from entering at the base. Also, select a bin that does not have large openings between the slats so rodents can't get in.

What To Put In Your Compost Bin

• GREENS: vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings in small amounts over time. Greens are quick to rot and provide important nitrogen and moisture. Green items contain bacteria that generate the heat required for the process.
  

• BROWNS: cardboard egg boxes, shredded and scrunched up paper, wood ash, vacuum dust (if carpets are wood or natural fibres), hair cuttings, fallen leaves. These brown items are slower to rot, and provide fibre and carbon, allowing important air pockets to form in the mixture so it can breathe.

If your compost becomes too wet, add more brown items; if its too dry, add some green, making sure there is enough air in the mixture. By keeping a good mix of brown and green materials you will provide the prefect conditions for a variety of mini-beasts - and they do all the hard work.

A few other tips ...

• Crushed egg shells are good for adding useful minerals.
• Pee on your compost heap regularly, especially if it is getting dry; the nitrogen will help the composting process speed up.
• Citrus fruit peel, cores and pulp can be added to your compost mixture, but takes longer to break down than other types of fruit waste, best thing is to chop them up into smaller pieces .
• A good rule of thumb is never add anything in excess.
  

What Not to Compost

No cooked vegetables, no meat, no bones, no dairy products, no diseased plants, no rose leaves or wood, no human, dog or cat poo or cat litter, no babies nappies. Avoid perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weed or seed heads. Plastic, glass and metals are not suitable and should be recycled separately.

Precautions

To avoid Bluebottle flies and furry visitors, don't add meat or fish products.
To avoid Ants check contents are not too dry , you can do this by sticking your hand in, if too dry add more greens.
To avoid strong unwanted smells, check content is not to wet and just add a few more browns to combat the smells.
Obviously avoid chemicals and sprays.

If you've ideas, experience or would like to write something about composting, please let us know!