Composting

Experts differ in their advice on the best way to make compost so how can we make sense of the sometimes contradictory advice on offer? A dry heap of garden rubbish crawling with woodlice is not a compost heap nor is an airless pile of grass clippings, which quickly becomes a slimy, smelly mess. Most would agree that a wide variety of organic materials, well mixed together with air and moisture are the basic requirements. These should be contained such that heat generated will not be lost to the surrounding air by providing good insulation.

The aim is to make rich compost from rubbish. Most organic materials will compost, even pernicious weeds. Collect materials for composting in sealed plastic bags until you have enough to make a good heap in one operation. A ratio of 30 -1 carbon to nitrogen is about right. (High carbon :-weeds, straw vegetable peelings etc. High nitrogen (activators) nettles, pigeon droppings, animal manures etc. When you have sufficient build your heap in one go mixing materials well. This is essential to heat the pile up quickly to kill off the pernicious weeds. After 10 -14 days turn the heap inside out and it will heat up again making sure all the weeds are killed off. This is the aerobic stage of decomposition. You can leave this heap over the winter months during which time the anaerobic bacteria take over the decomposition until finally the invasion of worms, woodlice etc, complete the process leaving you with sweet smelling, friable compost to start the season.

In summer make aerobic compost quickly and continuously turning the heap after 10 -14 days into bin 2 and make a new heap in bin 1. In 10-14 days turn again 2 into 3, 1 into 2 and a new heap in bin 1. After another 10 -14 days compost in bin 3 should be useable. Continue this process through the summer giving you a constant supply of useable compost.

For Smaller Gardens

H.D.R.A. runs continuous trials on alternative methods of composting. Some single bin systems are quite effective provided air supply and insulation are carefully balanced. We shall have information on most of these to help you choose the one best for you.

For further information Dick Kittos book "Composting the Organic Natural Way" publisher : Thorsens (1988) (Revised edition) makes excellent reading.