Compost[1] is essentially organic matter which has decomposed. It can be recycled to create a great ...

1. 6 Step Guide To Making Your Own Compost
Compost[1] is essentially organic matter which has decomposed. It can be recycled to create a great
fertilizer for the soil in your garden. Compost is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and carbon.
Applying a compost mixture to your garden can work wonders for improving the quality of the soil.
Instead of buying a bag of composting mixture at your garden center which can be heavy to carry
and expensive in cost, making your own could be a great alternative.
If you are looking to start your own composting heap or are looking to use a compost bin, then it
could not be easier to get started. In this article I will discuss the sorts of items and food that you
could use to create your compost, and the ways in which you can maintain it in the long run for
optimum results.
1. Choosing A Compost Bin
To start making your very own compost, you will need some kind of container to act as a composting
bin. Perhaps you have an old dust bin (or trash can) available, or you can choose to purchase a
plastic container online instead. They are inexpensive to buy and the long term benefits for your
garden will soon outweigh this small initial investment. Ideally, try to find a bin that is at least one
meter in height. This is because if your container is any smaller then it may not be able to generate
enough heat to rot down the contents thoroughly.

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This bin is a great alternative to the stationary bins because you can simply rotate it instead of
needing to turn the compost with a fork or spade.

3. Try to find a container that has no holes or gaps in the sides because this would mean a loss of heat.
In addition, place some straw or cardboard in the sides to add extra insulation before you fill it up.
2. Where To Position Your Composting Bin
Ideally, try to locate your compost bin over
a pre-existing area of soil or in a corner of a
border. This direct contact with the soil is
fantastic for helping the compost to mature
and develop. This is because worms and
other creatures can climb up into the
mixture and colonize it[2]. You would be
making the job of small worms and other
creatures a lot easier if you do this, rather than if you were to place the composting bin directly over
concrete for example.
3. Green And Brown Waste Products
Compost is usually made of what are called green and brown waste products. The green products
include items such as grass cuttings, tea bags, weeds and other garden cuttings, vegetable and fruit
peelings[2]. These green waste items are rich in nitrogen for your soil. Whereas brown waste items
include wood chippings, toilet and kitchen roll tubes, egg shells, cardboard, cereal boxes and other
paper and card waste products or boxes and tissues[2]. These brown waste products are rich in
carbon which is also great for making compost.
Try to store these items separately from your usual kitchen bin and recycling boxes. Having a
designated container can be helpful in categorizing the items and in keeping them separate.

4. Otherwise it can sometimes be easy to forget what you wanted to compost. Never put cooked meat
or baby's nappies into the compost mix because neither are suitable for composting purposes.
Below is an informative video on how to make your own compost from the YouTube channel
'Howdini'. In this video, Scott Mayer who is the editor of Organic Garden magazine takes you
through the steps.
4. Turning (Aerate) Your Compost
To help ensure that you get the best possible quality compost, and also to speed the composting
process up, it is a good idea to turn your compost[3] over regularly with a garden fork or spade.
Doing this will help to ensure that the mixture rotates and that you are getting air into the process.
Air is good for composting because it contains moisture and moisture can speed up the decomposing
waste process.
In addition, it is usually within the center of your container that the decomposition is at its fastest.
This is because the temperature will be highest there as it is furthest away from the sides of the bin.
Turning the mixture regularly helps to get air to areas that perhaps did not have any previously.
Ideally, try to remember to turn your compost as much as once a week or as little as once every
fortnight.

5. 5. The Waiting Game
It can take anywhere from six weeks to one year for your compost to be ready to use. This is because
the decaying process can vary depending on many factors such as how frequently the compost is
turned over, the positioning of the compost bin and the actual items and food products which are
added into the mix among other factors. Therefore, the process whereby the food and waste
products are broken down can take a long time.
You will know when you compost is ready to use because it will resemble a dark and crumbly
texture, similar to that of a cake. There will also be a strong and rich soil-type smell which radiates
from the contents. Heat from tea bags can help to speed things up and once worms have found their
way in to the composting bin, this can hurry things along too. Try to be patient and not use your
compost before it is ready. Instead, concentrate on building up your composting bin and in regularly
maintaining it, as is discussed in tip number four.
6. Using Your Compost
Finally, you should now be at the point where you can apply your compost to the garden. You have
diligently built up the pile of waste in the container over a period of time and your soil can now
benefit and reap the rewards of this process. You will most likely find that the compost is best and
ready to use at the bottom of the container.

6. Apply it over borders to enrich them, use it on the top of vegetable patches or fill compost into plant
pots, hanging baskets and containers to grow new plants for your garden. You could even use your
compost to put over the lawn to help it grow back too.
I hope that this quick six step guide to making your own compost can offer some useful tips for you
to get started. Making your own compost at home is free apart from the initial purchase of a
container to keep it in. Alternatively, you could even try creating an open air composting heap at the
back of your garden space. It is fantastic for the soil and will save you a lot of money in the long run
too.
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