Guide to composting
The important thing to remember is that composting is really easy! Here are a few helpful tips to get you started.
Where to put the compost bin?
- Make sure that your bin is in a warm place and is easy to access as you will still have to feed it when it is raining.
- Dig the soil underneath where it is going to stand, which will make it easier for the bugs to get in and start munching.
- Don't worry if you have a concrete or paving base for your bin. Simply place about five inches of soil at the bottom, which will help with drainage.
What to feed the compost bin?
- The bugs that do all the work inside the bin need a balanced diet, air and water – just like people do.
- The best way to make sure they get this is to fill up your compost bin as if you are making a pile of sandwiches. On top of the bread would be a layer of filling, then bread, then filling and so on (don’t worry about having perfect layers as often things get mixed together when you collect them, and that is fine).
The bread = dry brown stuff. This leaves pockets of air for the bugs to breath and soaks up excess juice from the wet soggy stuff. It includes scrunched up cardboard, loo rolls, twigs, sawdust, wood shavings, straw, pruning, paper towels, egg boxes and horse manure.
The filling = soggy wet stuff. This provides the moisture needed to keep the compost working. It includes vegetable peelings, tea bags, left over bits of fruit, weeds, grass clippings, coffee grounds and old flowers.
Remember
- Too much bread and it will dry out, making it too chewy for the bugs.
- Too much filling and the bread will go soggy. You will end up with slushy, smelly goo and a line of bugs running in the opposite direction!
