Composting

I have to admit when I first started composting I would give up easily, it was a bit of a grubby past time!  I had to get my great friend, Annie in to help me.  Compost is the best all round treatment you can give your soil-it boosts nutrient status, improves soil structure and helps maintain moisture. 

The amazing thing is that most of what your household throws out can go into the compost.

I have to admit I don’t use a compost bin, however they are easily constructable-a simple design is a square enclosure with a front that can be opened to easily add new material.  The cheapest way to construct one is with wooden pallets or mabati (corrugated iron) securely fixed in place to form three of the sides-in the front another pallet, tied loosely for access.

In an ideal world one has three compost bins next to each other-mine are three heaps! 

With three bins or heaps-use the first one to add to, when it is full put it into the second bin, and begin filling the first with new material.  Keep turning the compost in bin two from time to time, watering as you do so to aid decomposition.  When bin one is full, turn bin two into bin three etc, and use when bin three is ready.

The bins should be on a level well drained sunny spot on top of soil-allowing excess water to get out and worms to get in!

Suitable material for your compost bin/heap-greens and browns:

Greens:

These are rich in nitrogen and help the slower rotting browns break down.

-Diluted urine-a great compost activator

-Grass cuttings

-Nettles

-Raw veggie peelings

-Tea bags and coffee grinds

-unwoody pruning’s

-Animal manure-from herbivors-such as horses and cows

Browns:

These are carbon rich and slower to rot than the greens

-Waste paper-torn up or shredded

-Cardboard

-Bedding from vegetarian pets-eg rabbits

-Tough hedge clippings and woody pruning’s-chopped is best

-used tissue paper and cotton wool

-Sawdust and wood shavings

-Fallen leaves

No-go’s:

Meat, fish, dairy and cooked food-including bread, cat litter and dog poop-bring parasites.  Diseased plants should be burnt rather than added to the compost.

Just remember AIR and WATER-keep turning and watering your compost until it is sweet and earthy smelling.