Search Articles Local Directory Product Directory Name Search

Compost - Create Your Own

Are you looking for a way to feed your garden while still being able to recycle some of your household waste?  Consider creating a compost heap all of your own – you’ll have fertilizer whenever you need it and you won’t have to fork out money for something that you can make yourself!

How Composting Works

Composting works by having bacteria break down organic matter in the compost heap.  As the bacteria break the matter down, nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen are released.  As the matter in the compost heap rots, heat is released and this helps the pile to rot even more effectively.  Other things living in the pile such as worms and actinomycetes (cross between fungi and bacteria), will also help to convert what once was rubbish into viable, nutritious soil.

What Household Materials Can Be Composted?

Many organic materials around the home can be added to your compost heap.  These include:

• Grass clippings – these need to be mixed with coarser materials otherwise they may become too hot and turn into slime.
  
• Leaves – need to be mixed with other materials in order to rot properly.
  
• Weeds – weeds can be added to the compost pile but you should never add oxalis, onion weed or nutgrass bulbs.  Also be wary of weeds that are seeding as the pile may not be able to destroy the seeds.
  
• Prunings – the prunings from your plants make great composting material but you need to make sure that they are of a suitable size first.
  
• Kitchen scraps – these are perfect for the compost but be careful of citrus peels and capsicum as these may upset your worms.  Potato peelings are great but if a vine sprouts, pull it out as the vine is very hungry and will steal lots of nitrogen from your pile.  Never add meat scraps as it will attract flies and vermin.
  
• Manure – is great for adding nitrogen and thus helps the vegetable matter to rot.  Try to use manure that is a few weeks old.
  
• Fertilizer – if you have any organic fertilizer that is left over from the garden, add that to the pile as well.
  
• Shredded paper – is a great thing to add to a compost heap but you should only use newspaper or other non-glossy papers as glossy paper takes a long time to rot.

Get The Compost Mix Right!

For a great compost heap, it is important that you get the mix of carbon and nitrogen right.  There should be 25 to 30 times more carbon than nitrogen to ensure that the compost heap is working optimally.  There is no need to worry about getting the ratio right by weight, for if you get in the habit of composting everything you can, the mix should be ok.  Things that are high in carbon include woody prunings, sawdust, hay, shredded paper, and fallen leaves.  Things that are high in nitrogen include grass clippings, green plants, manure, and kitchen scraps.

Selecting a Compost Bin

There are many types of compost bins that you can use, depending on your needs and the space that you have available.

• The traditional bin – the traditional compost bin is simply a bottomless wooden box that measures about one metre squared and about 80 centimetres to one metre high.  To ensure a steady supply of compost, build more than one so that you can place rubbish into another when one has filled up.
  
• A bought compost bin – these are made of black plastic in order to pull in the sun’s heat and it can be taken apart when you want to remove the compost.
  
• A tumbling compost bin – this is a plastic bin that is mounted on a turning frame so that it can be turned like a cement mixer in order to make the rotting process faster.
  
• An upturned garbage bin – this is simple but it is still an efficient compost bin.  Simply cut out the bottom of the plastic bin and use the lid to cover the hole.
  
• A worm farm – if you really only have small amounts of kitchen waste to compost, a worm farm may be an efficient solution.  The worms will eat the food scraps and produce castings as well as liquid manure.

Building the Perfect Compost Heap

So what is the best way to build a compost pile?  Ideally, you will fill the compost bin all at the same time, with a layer of one material, some activator (blood and bone or poultry manure), another layer of something else, more activator, and so on.  Use water as you go so that the compost pile is moist but not soggy.  Use a layer of straw on the top.

However, this is not practical for many people and it is possible to build up a compost heap over many weeks as organic waste from the garden or household becomes available.  Once the pile is a cubic metre or so, start turning it.  If the compost heap is not turn, it will break down more slowly.

If you need compost quickly, turn the pile every three days for two weeks and then leave it undisturbed for a week.  If time is not a factor, the pile can be turned every six weeks to three months.

Related Categories