Home composting

Here are our top tips for composting at home:

• if you have more grass clippings than other material to put in, add a layer of rolled up newspaper balls which will help add carbon into the mix
• during a warm summer, the heap can dry out; causing decomposition to slow down, so add water (from a water butt or waste kitchen water) to keep it moist
• to aid decomposition, chop up stems from shrubs and perennials into 6 inches or smaller pieces, before putting them in
• if possible, turn the compost every 2 or 3 months
• when the compost is ready, it will be a crumbly texture (if there are still larger pieces of stems left, these should be picked or sieved out)
• homemade compost is fantastic for adding as a mulch to your garden beds and borders as it:
  • helps retain moisture in the soil
  • improves the structure of sandy or clay soil
  • adds natural goodness
  • encourages worms, micro-organisms and beneficial bacteria (which are vital for a balanced ecosystem) to keep your garden healthy
• home composting is a great educational tool for children as it demonstrates the cycle of nature