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Compost
A: What is compost?
Compost is the result of organic matter such as leaves, vegetable scraps, paper, prunings and grass clippings decomposing in a heap or bin. By adding composting worms (not earthworms), blood and bone or manure, you can speed up the composting process and boost the nutrient levels. Find out how to make your own compost.
A: What is compost good for?
Compost is fantastic for improving the quality and moisture holding ability of your soil. It provides essential nutrients for your plants and lets them thrive on very little water. It's also a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste - think of it as fertiliser.
Compost is best dug into your soil at planting time. Find out how to improve your soil with compost.How to make compost
What you'll need :
- a compost bin (build your own or purchase one from a major hardware outlet - some councils provide them for free)
- blood and bone or poultry manure (activator)
- water
- straw
- vegetable scraps
- shredded prunings, grass clippings and leaves.
Directions
Fill your bin with a 15 centimetre layer of material to be composted. Add a sprinkling of activator (blood and bone or poultry manure), then a layer of another material to be composted, then more activator. Keep doing this until you reach the top. Make sure you water as you go, keeping the material moist (but not soggy). To finish, cover the whole thing with a layer of straw (you'll need around one cubic metre of straw).
If you decide to make your compost in a heap (instead of a bin), turning it with a garden fork about once a fortnight will help it to rot quicker.
