There are two forms of compost: garden compost and potting and propagation composts, which you can buy in bags. Garden compost is simply decayed organic matter and it's useful stuff. You can recycle all of your uncooked kitchen trimmings, turning them into a good soil additive once they have been broken down into a crumbly sweet-smelling substance during time spent in a compost heap. Better still, look at our workshop which will show you how to make a compost bin. Making compost is all about getting the temperature of the mixture of material up to levels that encourage the breakdown of the organic matter. This also means that annual weed seeds will be destroyed. 

What You Will Need.

Space in a corner to make a heap or to place a bin - about 1m square; a garden fork; organic materials such as: grass clippings; vegetable trimmings; dead flowers; leaves; garden waste including shredded healthy woody material; annual weeds not in flower; shredded newspaper. A good mixture, avoiding too many grass clippings. These will get green and slimy very quickly, and prevent air moving through the heap. Optional: compost activator such as Garotta, or manure. 

Step 1

Spread a layer of dry twiggy material either in a 1m space on the ground, or in the bottom of a compost bin.  

Step 2

Build up the heap in 15cm layers, varying the type of material. Sprinkling each layer with manure or a compost activator will speed up the composting process. 

Step 3

Cover the top of the heap with a piece of black plastic or old piece of carpet. You need to make sure that the heap does not dry out completely, so if using plastic, puncture it a few times. Weight the cover down with large stones or old bricks. Leave for three months. 

Step 4

Optional: After two to three weeks, the maximum temperature in the heap should have been reached. Using a fork, you can turn the heap or mix it up which will help speed up the process. Compost takes about three months to mature, so you'll have to do this several more times. 

Step 5

After three months, take a sample of your compost from the middle of the heap. Roll it around in your hands and sniff it. It should be crumbly, dark, and sweet-smelling! If you've not used activator, and haven't turned the heap, there may be material that has not broken down completely. Put this to one side for recomposting. Dig out the rich garden compost. Add this to your borders as a mulch, or use when making new plantings of trees and shrubs. 

Related Links:
• A Guide To Composting

Related Downloads:
• How To Make Compost Print Friendly Version