Waste not, want not: Starting your first compost bin

Today we are talking about compost. I’m not talking about the stuff you buy in a plastic bag from your local gardener centre, but how we go about making our own compost.

Why make your own compost?

• Save the planet - by composting your own waste you are reducing the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill

• Improve your garden’s health - by making your own compost, you have a ready supply of nutritious compost to add back into your garden. Happy healthy soil means happy healthy plants.

• Save money - by making your own compost it means you no longer having to purchase it, saving you cash!

How to start your first compost bin

You can either purchase a compost bin online, from your local garden centre or even build your own. You can buy wooden and plastic compost bins that come in a range of styles, sizes and prices to meet your gardening needs.

There are a couple of rules to ensure you have great quality compost, but it’s actually quite a simple process.

1 - You need equal parts green waste and brown waste.

Green waste: grass cuttings, annual weeds (do not add perennial weeds), food waste, leaves and coffee

Brown waste: twigs, paper, cardboard and sawdust

2 - The smaller you can shred the waste before adding to your compost bin, the quicker it will turn into compost.

3 - Turn the compost frequently - this helps to combine the material and encourages decomposition.

4 - Ideally cover the compost bin (most purchased bins come with a lid), this helps to heat up the compost bin increasing decomposition. 

5 - Moisture levels - You want your compost bin to feel damp to the touch, like when you have squeezed the water out of a sponge. Too dry, and it will take longer to break down. Too wet and you will have a soggy mess. During dry months, add a little water and turn. During wet months, add a cover to protect from heavy rain.

When will my compost be ready?

It can take up to one year for your compost to be ready. Sometimes you will find that the bottom of the pile is ready which you can use in your garden, but the top part of the bin may need a little longer. By following the above tips you can help to speed up the process.

Some gardeners will have more than one compost bin on the go. Meaning that they can be adding material to one while using the finished compost from another compost bin.

I hope you have found this article useful and that I have encouraged you to start your very own compost bin.