How to Compost Guide

Treat your compost heap like a passive pet that never barks

If you are new to composting, this might sound a bit out there, but I promise you that once you get going with a good compost heap, it does become like a pet. (And if it is healthy, it will smell better than your dog.) Honestly.

Compost is decayed organic matter used as garden fertiliser. About half of what we throw in our council waste bin can be thrown into compost. Composting has many benefits, including improving soil structure, reducing waste sent to landfill, helping to decrease greenhouse emissions and best of all it's free!

1.  The first step to composting is to choose the location for your compost heap. Choose a well-drained are that has a moderate amount of shade, but a place that gets some sun.

2. Secondly, you need to decide upon a compost bin. There is a large variety to choose from. Alternatively, you can build your own compost bin. 

3. Feed your compost bin. Keep a small container in your kitchen for all the scraps and add to the compost bin on a daily basis. An ice-cream container with its lid or small bucket is perfect for the job. (If you empty and clean it daily, it will never smell and you can simply wash the container with your other dishes.)

Decomposition of materials is affected by carbon and nitrogen. The C:N ratio is important - too much carbon in the compost heap means that the decomposition stage is slowed down, too much nitrogen and some of the living organisms can die. 

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