Garden / Lawn

Easy composting

It's becoming more apparent these days that recycling is becoming much, much more important and that we all need to do what we can to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. The key here is reducing the amount of waste we put to the curb. Toward this end, composting is a significant element. Those with a back yard can benefit the most. Composting may seem like something a bit difficult to start and maintain but in fact is really quite simple and straightforward - just a few simple points to remember:

You will need a compost bin, the type you decide on depends on the size of your yard, but there are a couple of options:

There are many types and sizes but at the end of the day, a basic plastic composting bin from a local garden centre should do fine. You just fill from the top and a few months later, you remove your compost typically from a small hatch at the bottom.

What can composted:

- all uncooked vegetable and fruit peelings
- teabags, tea leaves and coffee grounds
- egg shells
- dead flowers from the house
- and from the garden, soft pruning cuts, spent bedding plants, dead leaves, lawn clippings
- spent compost from hanging baskets or containers
- some dry materials such as shredded paper, rabbit and guinea pig bedding.

One thing you to remember is to mix different types of material. Too many grass clippings in a big mass for example, will turn smelly and slimy, or if there is too much dry material (paper) composting may not start properly. Mix occasionally.

What NOT to compost:

- Any meat products or bones; bread, cooked food - as these tend to attract vermin
- dog or cat waste
- woody material - may take too long to compost
- weeds - these can "infect" your compost with their seeds
- anything that is non-biodegradable (plastics).

A good idea is to keep a lidded container by the back door that you can fill and then empty into your composting bin every one or two days instead of making a trip every time you peel a vegetable!

In about 3 - 12 months (depending on conditions) - you'll have wonderful dark brown loose compost for your flower beds and borders.

Happy composting everyone!