•  Creating your compost heap     •  Place a layer (about 15cm) of brown materials like branches and twigs        at the bottom of your pile or bin.     •  This will allow air to circulate at the bottom of the composter once more         material is added.     •  Add green and more brown materials as they become available. Try         add equal amounts of green and brown materials.     •  This will ensure that your compost is the right texture - not too        compacted or too full of large air pockets.     •  Add air by turning your compost in the bin using a garden fork or stick         or by empting the contents of your bin and turning them with a garden         fork then returning them to the bin.     •  Check the moisture content. •  Adding material     •  When adding more materials, check that it's not too wet or too dry.     •  When you add greens add browns too.     •  If you mostly compost greens and you don't have enough garden         browns, add in torn up cardboard boxes or egg cartons or toilet paper         tubes. •  Managing your compost     •  The more you attend to or manage your compost heap the quicker you         will get usable garden compost.     •  If you just leave it you will still get compost but it will take much         longer.     •  Check the temperature inside the pile - either with a thermometer or         feeling it with your hand.     •  If it is warm or hot, your compost heap is working.     •  If it is the same temperature as the outside air, add more greens,        manure or ready-made compost mix to stimulate the microbial activity.     •  Organic waste needs air and water to decompose to form compost.     •  Organisms that decompose organic matter are aerobic - needing air         circulation to survive.     •  Turn the pile with a fork or a stick.     •  Keep the pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge.     •  An overly wet pile slows down decomposition as the water replaces         the air, creating an anaerobic environment.     •  Check the moisture level by gently squeezing a handful of compost.         If it's dry and dusty add some water. If it feels slimy or soggy mix in         some brown materials like shredded cardboard or small twigs to         absorb the extra moisture.     •  Too many ants are a sign that your compost is too dry. Using Your Compost •  When you want some compost, use the top uncomposted part to start a     new compost heap, and use the bottom composted part in your garden. •  Your compost should be crumbly and dark brown when it is ready. Other     than some twigs and eggshells, you shouldn't be able to recognise the     original materials. Time it Takes to Generate Usable Compost •  The length of time it takes depends on the following     •  the type and quantity of materials you put into your bin;     •  the time of year;     •  how often you turn your compost. •  It usually takes between 6 and 18 months for compost to be produced. •  If your compost production is managed carefully - correct balance of     materials, air and water - you will get compost in a much shorter time. •  To speed up your composter    •  shred or chop up stems or prunings (this also reduces the bulk so you        can get more in your composter) and everything else that will go on        your heap;    •  add some crumpled newspaper;    •  keep it moist - add a little water if necessary (re-use kitchen rinse        water to moisten the middle of the pile but don't over-moisten the        pile);    •  add ready-made compost mix (can be bought at a hardware store or        nursery);    •  manage your compost by turning the heap every few days. Household tip •  Keep a small bucket with a lid or a container (like a use ice cream tub)    with a lid in your kitchen to collect the kitchen waste you'll use for your     compost. •  Take it to your compost bin/pile every few days (or once a day if you     have a lot of waste). Keep the lid on the container to keep insects away. Leaf Mould •  Autumn Garden Leaves    •  Too many leaves can upset the balance of your compost bin.    •  Turn autumn garden leaves into leaf mould instead of adding them to        your compost bin. You will get a crumbly and nutrient-rich, organic        material that you can use as a lawn conditioner, mulch or soil        conditioner. •  Collect the leaves.    •  If the material is shredded into smaller pieces it will speed up the       decaying process. •  Add moisture.    •  Moisten the leaves with a little water if they are too dry. •  Bag it.    •  Put the leaves into a large plastic bin bag.    •  Punch holes in the bag to allow air to circulate.    •  Place the bag in a secluded area of the garden, and leave it for one        to two years. The leaf mould will become finer the longer you leave it. Vermiculture •  Vermiculture or worm farming is a composting process that uses worms     and micro-organisms to convert organics into nutrient-rich humus. •  Vermicomposting is the practice of using earthworms for the production     of compost. The worms consume organic waste and produce castings     (an odour-free compost product) for use as mulch, soil conditioner, and     a topsoil additive. •  Organisms, such as bacteria and millipedes, also assist in the aerobic     decomposition of the organic waste material. •  Home use wormeries are available from a number of resellers.

Compost Benefits of Home Composting .................................................... Creating Compost     Select your     composter     Select your space     Materials for      composting     Creating your     compost     Adding material     Managing your     compost .................................................... Using Your Compost .................................................... Time to Generate Compost     Speeding up your     composter .................................................... Household Tip

Benefits of Home Composting Home composting is a simple and effective way of benefitting your garden and the environment. •  By home composting you:     •  re-use and recycle waste that would normally be thrown away.         •  avoid sending waste to landfills thereby assisting in reducing the         amount of methane gas produced.         Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global         warming, is produced when waste - including kitchen and garden         waste- decomposes in a landfill.         •  assist in reducing the carbon emissions created in transporting waste         to landfills.        •  get black gold (gardener's term for compost) that improves the quality         of your garden.     •  reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides as it makes        your plants healthier and helps them build a stronger immune system.     •  save the Earth's natural resources by reducing the need for peat taken         from endangered ecosystems. All biodegradable material will compost over time. Home composting allows us to collect and use degradable material so that it doesn't create the negative impact on the environment caused by landfills. •  Compost is the ultimate garden fertiliser as it contains the nutrients plants     need, delivered in a slow-releasing method. •  When you add compost to your soil it becomes a permanent part of the     soil structure, helping feed your plants into the future. •  You don't have to have a big garden to create compost. You can use your     compost to grow herbs and pot plants. •  Home compost can be used as    •  mulch - applied to the surface of the soil    •  soil conditioner - mixed into the soil    •  lawn conditioner - fine compost mixed with an equal amount of soil    •  part of a seed and potting mix - mixed with soil Creating Compost •  Select the type of composter you want     •  You can create a pile of free standing         material in your garden.     •  You can dig a hole and leave it open         or cover it with hessian.     •  You can create an enclosed area either         made of chicken wire, fencing or         concrete blocks, or a wooden structure         which will keep the pile neater.     •  You can purchase a compost bin         (there are a variety of types available         from hardware stores or online).     •  You can purchase a wormery. •  Select the space for your compost heap.     •  Place your compost 'container' or bin a well drained area of bare earth         (sand or grass) - not on paving or concrete. This makes it easier for         worms and other creatures to get into your compost. They play a vital         role in breaking down your garden and kitchen waste.     •  Select a site that doesn't get too much wind. Some views say the bin         shouldn't be in too much sunlight while others say that the warmth of         the sun assists the composting process. See what works for you. •  Know what materials you can and shouldn't use for creating     your compost.     •  Use a variety of ingredients to make your compost as this provides         even more nutrients for your garden.     •  You need a balance of both green and brown materials in your compost         bin.

Greens • Green materials contain nitrogen. • Greens rot or break down quickly. • Greens can become compacted. • Greens keep the compost moist. • Greens alone will make the    compost slimy and smelly.    Mix with browns. Green materials include: • Fruit, vegetables and peelings • Tea bags or leaves • Coffee granules • Crushed egg shells • Garden & house plants • Dead flowers • Grass cuttings •  Weeds (don't compost weeds with     persistent root systems, and     weeds that are going to seed.)

Browns • Brown materials contain carbon. • Browns compost or break down    more slowly. • Browns add texture and structure    to your compost. • Browns create air pockets which    are important for air circulation. • Browns will to be too dry on their    own. Mix with greens. Brown materials include: • Branches & twigs • Feathers • Hedge trimmings • Shredded cardboard & paper • Toilet paper tubes • Cardboard egg cartons • Straw & hay • Wood chippings • Sawdust • Hair & Fur • Vegetarian animals' manure    (avoid manure from carnivores) • Autumn leaves • Dryer lint

Do not add... • meat • fish • dairy products • dog / cat faeces • cat litter • coal ash (used charcoal briquettes don't decay much so avoid using them) • nappies / used tissue • roots of persistent weeds • diseased plants • coloured or shiny paper • plastic • glass • metal

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