Making Compost

There are many schools of thought on composting, but here are my suggestions for producing good quality organic matter that should be dark, filter through your fingers like peat moss and no, it shouldn't pong!

In terms of making a compost bin its entirely up to you as to whether you want to use a ready-made plastic compost bin or to construct your own timber framed version. Myself, I admit to using a plastic compost bin (see picture).

So what are the benefits of composting? From an energy saving perspective, you will have avoided the need for the transportation and processing of the commercial fertilisers that you would have no doubt used previously, and your pocket will also say 'thank you' as well! And of course, you will have had the satisfaction of knowing that you've made something useful out of waste that would otherwise have been thrown away.

So what works best?

Well here are my recommendations, but no doubt many of you will have your own ideas, either based on sound scientific theories or just good old trial and error. Anyway, my favourite ingredients are:

• Vegetable peelings (a 'must have' menu item)
• Rotten vegetables or fruit
• Cardboard pieces or paper (not too much or it dries out the mix)
• Rotting plants or soft leafy material (not weeds though)
• Grass cuttings (only in moderation and then mix in well)

And what doesn't work?

I've had no luck with the following:

• Plants that have woody stems
• Citrus fruits (they make the compost smell rancid)
• Too much of any one ingredient
• Tree leaves (they work too slowly)
• Cooked food (it'll probably attract rodents)

Starting the compost

To start a bin, insert some ingredients and then add some soil so as to introduce the bacteria that will start the compost process off. I personally would also add some worms to the mix. If you have a farm with a herd of cows, the dung you'll find there (which is a good ingredient as well) will almost certainly contain some happy and contented worms. With the farmer's permission, get a bucket and repatriate the worms to your compost bin. The farmer will probably laugh his socks off but I find the worms do a good job. However, if your compost mix is wrong the worms will pack up their bags and leave, so they can be a good indicator of how things are going.

And when it's going, don't forget to give it the occasional stir.

Good signs

Three good signs that the compost process is working well are:

• The 'core' of the compost bin is very warm (even in winter)
• There's lots of worms, insects and other creatures active in the bin
• The contents keep getting lower in the bin

Possible Problems

Here are some of the problems associated with composting:

• The compost reaction has stalled (probably best to start again)
• You're producing too much compost (where do you put it?)
• Slugs

Anyway, happy composting and if you have any useful tips, do let us know