COMPOST its not just poo!Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. It is used in landscaping, horticulture and agriculture as a soil conditioner and fertiliser. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover (see compost uses). Compost serves as a growing medium: a porous, absorbent material that holds moisture and soluble minerals, providing the support and nutrients in which most plants will flourish. To maximize plant growth, it is sometimes necessary to dilute compost with soil or peat to reduce salinity or to add neutralisers to bring the pH closer to 7, or additional nutrients like fertilisers or manure, wetting agents, and materials to improve drainage and aeration, such as sand, grit, bark chips, vermiculite, perlite, or clay granules. Well that the dictionary explanation anyway, but what makes a good compost really? Given enough time, all biodegradable material will compost, and the primary objective in the modern push to compost is to capture readily degradable materials so they do not enter landfills. However, most small-scale domestic systems will not reach sufficiently high temperatures to kill pathogens and weed seeds or deter vermin, so pet droppings, scraps of meat, and dairy products are often best left to operators of high-rate, thermophilic composting systems. Hobby animal manure (horses, goats), vegetable kitchen and garden waste are nevertheless all excellent raw material for home composting. Compostable materials And lets take a minute to consider the recent urge in peronal data theft and peoples concern with ID theft, maybe you are one of the thousands who now shreds your personal data and bills etc? did you know that most councils will not accept shredded paper!.. don't bin it compost it, what better way to protect your personal data than to use it in your own garden compost, its great especially if your compost is a bit wet and it helps the air to circulate. BUT DO NOT USE glossy mags or glossy junk mail to make your shredded compost material and make sure you give your compost a good regular turning as well. What you need:
If using a self-assembly version, as shown here, you need:
- Coarse draining material, garden waste, fresh manure and soil
- A piece of carpet or tarpaulin
Otherwise you will also need: - Four x 1.2m (4ft) high fence posts
- Wire netting or planks
- Galvanised hooks and eyes
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 | First prepare the compost area
If erecting your own bin, hammer into the ground four 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in) posts to enclose an area about 1sq m (40sq in.) Then bash the soil with the back of a spade to consolidate it. |
 | Next either tack wire netting to the posts, or nail planks around them, leaving the front side easily detachable so you can get the finished compost out. |
 | Add the drainage material
In the bottom put a 10cm (4in) layer of coarse material, such as straw or twigs. |
 | Make the sandwich
Put in a 15cm (6in) layer of garden waste and water if it’s dry. Put in alternate layers of different materials - like a sandwich. |
 | Turn up the heat
Compost has to heat up to work properly. To do this it needs to have a certain critical mass. A metre cubed is good. It must also be layered to heat up effectively. On top of each layer add a sprinkling of manure or soil. This helps to introduce the bacteria and fungi (or 'heat') needed to break down the organic material. |
 | Cover it up
Then cover with a sheet, an old bit of carpet, polythene or tarpaulin and leave it for about three months to rot down.
Uncover, open the front, take all the compost out, then put it back again. This process adds air to the mix and helps it rot down faster. |
Three months later…
Leave for another three months and your compost will be brown, crumbly and sweet-smelling; ready to use in the garden. |
| These can go in: | These can't: | | Shredded paper (although not shiny magazine type paper) cotton and wool fabrics | | Woody material like prunings and Brussels sprout stems. These need to be put through a shredder first | | Uncooked vegetable trimmings, peelings and tea bags from the kitchen | | Synthetic fabrics | | | | Food scraps | | Annual weeds | | Meat or bones | | Tops of perennial weeds | | Diseased plant material | | Old bedding plants | | Soil pests | | Soft hedge clippings | | Any weeds with seedheads | | Dead leaves | | Perennial roots | | Lawn mowings | | Dog or cat waste |
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