Compost Making

HOW do I make compost?

The compost bin can be made at little cost. Simple wire netting wrapped around wooden stakes and lined with cardboard or newspaper is an effective and flexible home-made method. Stronger bins can be made from wood, bricks, or concrete blocks. Holes for air and ready access from the front are necessary. Alternatively, purchase a commercially-made bin from a garden centre or hardware store.

Compost making - five simple steps

1.	Before positioning the bin, fork over the soil to aid drainage and encourage worms. Ensure bin is aerated through ventilation openings or raise the bin on a few bricks.
2.	Placing a 10-15cm layer of coarse twiggy materials (materials from a previous heap may be used) at the bottom of the bin to ensure good drainage and entry of air.
3.	Add a 15-20cm layer of moist, well mixed kitchen and garden wastes. Use a variety of organic material, and lightly compress with a fork. If materials are dry, lightly moisten.
4.	Add a 5cm layer of poultry litter or animal manure. Seaweed, soil, or your own mature compost can be used if animal manure is not available. Alternatively, use a few handfuls of blood and bone, or sulphate of ammonia fertiliser, or a compost starter kit available from garden shops
5.	Continue to build the compost heap with alternating layers, as material becomes available. When the bin is full, cover and leave the heap to mature. If you regularly turn the compost heap it will take three to four months to mature, but without turning it will take nine months to a year. Turning once a month will aerate the heap and mix the decomposer organisms through the waste material.