A beginner’s guide to composting
One of the most effective ways to keep your garden thriving is through healthy soil, which can be supported by using compost. Composting is the process of mixing decomposed organic matter like food waste, manure, wood, and lawn and garden trimmings to create a natural plant fertilizer. Adding compost to soil helps to enrich it, boosting essential nutrients that promote healthier plant growth.
Composting builds up the structure and texture of soil, which in turn increases airflow and water retention, improving its overall properties. Using compost can bring a whole host of advantages and is a relatively simple method that anyone can implement in their own garden.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to compost successfully to maintain your garden’s health.
Identify a suitable location
The first thing that you will need to do is decide where to put your compost pile or bin. It is best to find an outdoor location with a bit of shade and potential for drainage. This area should be easily reachable to you, but out of the way of pets and wildlife.
2. Gather your ingredients
To get started, you will need to gather the materials for your compost pile. This is relatively easy as you can use many things that can be found in your own kitchen or garden like food waste and leaves. Incorporate a mix of green (like garden and kitchen scraps) and brown materials (like branches, straw, paper, and wood chips).
Things like vegetable and fruit peelings, eggshells and coffee grounds are also great to add to your compost pile as they are easily broken down into the soil and possess enriching properties. While most garden and kitchen waste can be used in your compost pile, diseased plants, wet grass or coal ash are not suitable. Similarly, avoid leftover meats, fish and dairy products as they can cause a strong smell and attract unwanted pests.
3. Make your compost pile
Cut or break up compost materials into small pieces before adding them to the compost bin as this will help them break down easily. It is recommended that you alternate green and brown materials in layers that are a few inches deep to enhance the decomposition process. Aim for a compost pile that is three feet in width and height - this is manageable for most beginners and helps your pile hold any heat produced during the composting process. You can buy compost bins from garden centres and online retailers, or you could make your own from old pallets.
4. Turn your pile
To ensure that your pile is composting effectively you should turn it (mix it) regularly, about once every two weeks. To turn your pile, you’ll need to use a shovel or rake to rotate the materials. Turning your pile is important to ensure that air and moisture are distributed evenly throughout.
5. Water it
Although most of the moisture in your compost pile should come naturally from the rain, it helps to water your pile every now and then, especially if it looks dry. Your pile should be damp like a wrung out towel, however if it becomes overly wet, you can add brown materials as needed or turn it more often to reduce the moisture.
Keep your pile covered with an old piece of carpet or tarp to trap the heat in and help your compost cook thoroughly. This will also prevent nutrient loss if it rains, which can wash away nutrients and deposit them into the ground.
6. Know when your compost is ready
You’ll know your compost is ready when it is flaky and dark brown in colour, much like soil. This process can take anything from six months to two years to happen. It should smell rich and natural and should not have any large fragments of materials.
7. Use your compost
There are many ways that you can use your finished compost. How you use it is up to you and your gardening needs!
· Mulch
Using compost as mulch – a layer applied to the surface of soil to keep it moist and healthy and reduce weed growth - is a great way to get the most out of your harvest. Because compost is naturally absorbent, it will help your garden retain moisture and will also prevent weeds from sprouting. To use your compost as mulch, apply a three-to-six-inch layer on the soil and rake until even.
· Top dress garden beds
You can give your garden beds a boost with finished compost. This is usually done twice a year to promote healthy growth. Sprinkle a generous amount along the surface of the soil and let nature do the rest! Seasonal rains will wash the nutrients down to root level and decomposers like worms will then pull the organic matter into the soil.
· Add to fruit trees
It’s best to fertilise fruit trees in early spring to support the growing season in preparation for the autumn harvest. Applying compost at the base of your trees in early spring will give them a much-needed health boost. Compost is rich in nitrogen which is particularly good for fruit trees. They’ll also benefit from the many micro and macronutrients within it. If you miss this early spring window, applying compost any time between March and July will still give your trees a boost.
