When we talk about compost, we're taking about homegrown of course! This is the best for your garden, as you know exactly what's gone into it and more importantly what hasn't gone into it. Developing your compost from your own spent ingredients is free, sustainable and your garden will love it. It doesn't have to be hard either. So give it a go!.

What can I put in my compost?

You can put anything that's natural into your compost bin / heap, below is a brake down of each category you can include. In nature organic material just rot down naturally so don’t over complicate anything here. The “rules” about carbon to nitrogen rations, mixtures of greens and browns, temperature, worms and equipment are not rules! There are no rules - simply guidance to make it easier and more rewarding!

Nitrogen rich 

Nitrogen rich stuff is quick to break down and provides important moisture and nitrogen to the compost.

• Vegetable peelings
• Scraps
• Fruit scraps
• Teabags (no plastic)
• Garden pruning waste
• Grass cuttings.

Fibre and Carbon rich

Fibrous and carbon rich stuff is great to include in the compost bin as it will create air pockets in the mixture as well as adding fibre and nitrogen.

• Carboard
• Egg boxes
• Paper
• Fallen leaves

Other things to consider including

• Coffee grounds
• Egg shells
• Saw dust
• Manure (animals that eat only veg - not dog or cat manure but chicken manure is great)
• Urine 

What not to put in my compost?

Try to avoid putting any of the below in the compost bin / heap as it will either not brake down, attract pests like rats or cause pollution issues. 

• Meat & Dairy (unless hot composting in a special bin or if you’re not bothered about pests)
• Diseased plants
• Pet faeces 
• Nappies
• Weeds that have seeded 
• Plastic / Glass / Metal

What should I make compost in and where should I put it?

It is important to make sure you have a decent compost bin if you live in a built up area, as a simple heap will not suffice in urban settings. Buy a decent compost bin to reduce your risk of pests such as flies and rats and to improve your compost yield. 

It's best to sit your compost on a level, well-drained spot on your property as this will reduce your compost getting excessively damp and rotting. It will also help the good insects such as worms and woodlice get to your compost and help you break it down.

Your compost will benefit from being in a sunny place, to increase the heat levels. But also make sure it’s in a position that you pass often, to reduce the risk of rodents.

Bugs are your friends

Which leads me onto my next point which is bugs. There are many welcome bugs in a compost pile, such as worms, woodlice, ants and maggots; they will live in your compost and eat the waste materials you are composting. Worms especially are a gardeners best friend, with worm poop being exceptionally good for the garden; so do all you can to make them stay!

What does compost need?

As a rule compost needs a mix of greens and browns, or nitrogen and carbon along with oxygen and water. Basically if it's too dry add any nitrogen item listed above, and if it's too wet add any carbon item listed above, remember to turn the pile to ensure air pockets are present and don't let it dry out too much. 

Basically, treat it like a living being; because after all it is! 

When is my compost ready

When your compost is ready it'll be a dark brown soil-like consistency, normally towards the bottom of the pile. Don't worry about the bugs, they will travel up your pile to the fresh food. Remove the dark brown soil and use if your garden. 

Should I add anything extra to my compost?

This really depends on what you added originally and what you're trying to grow.

Coffee grounds add nitrogen to your compost and improves drainage, water retention and aeration into the soil

Egg shells add calcium to the compost

Urine is brilliant for reducing the time it takes for the "browns" to break down and increased the nutrients. Make sure it's diluted not just pure urine always. Although we do just tip it in often then water the compost occasionally. It's called "liquid gold" for a reason!

Really if your compost is dark, lose and well broken down you shouldn't need to add anything else to it.

Some gardeners recommended that if your compost hasn't got to the hot temperatures during it's composting stages then warming it up in the microwave will kill off any seeds that haven't been killed off yet. However, this is time consuming and not required in most cases. Get your compost hot, let it brake down and then when it's ready to use use it!

Sharp sand or vermiculite can be added to compost to improve drainage, but this is only required if the compost isn't lose and ready to go.

FAQs

Is it ok to put weeds and roots in compost?

Absolutely fine, just make sure your compost is a good temp and there are no weeds that have flowered or the seeds might survive in the composting process. We like to chop all vegetation down anyway so that it composts quicker!