Get composting!
In 2006, over 800,000 tonnes of household waste had to be collected and disposed of in Kent. Over 30% of this resource was vegetable and garden material which could have been composted. By encouraging people to compost at home or in their local community, BTCV is addressing the issue of waste production.
Composting is a natural process of decomposition of organic matter, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, grass cuttings and fallen leaves. The result is a nutrient rich, peat free material, ideal for feeding and improving garden soils and helping plants to grow strong and healthy.
How can I start composting?
Because nature does all the hard work, you don't need any previous experience or knowledge to set up your own compost. You will need a compost bin which can be made of wood, wire or plastic. Plastic compost bins are available through Kent County Council's Recycle for Kent campaign. The size of the bin depends on how much waste your household produces but a capacity of 330 litres is a popular choice. Where you site the bin will affect the efficiency of the composting process. It is important that worms, beetles and other useful organisms can get into the compost bin, therefore it should be placed on bare soil or grass. You should also ensure that the area is well drained and preferably sunny. To save on trips to the compost bin, have a small lidded container in the kitchen to collect your raw scraps and help you to get into good habits.
What can I put into my compost?
A healthy compost will contain a mix of air, water, green stuff and brown stuff.
Green stuff is material that is rich in nitrogen. It is fresh, living things like grass clippings, plants, and fruit and vegetable waste. Brown stuff will provide your compost bin with a good varied structure. Brown waste includes tougher, dried plants like leaves and twigs but also material such as tea bags, cardboard and paper. Cutting or shredding material into small pieces will help the decomposition process and a mix of items is best (e.g. add a scrunched up newspaper for every bag of grass). Although soft, green garden waste will rot quickly and act as an activator to get the compost started, on it's own this material will decay to a smelly mess. Therefore brown materials should make up the bulk of your compost heap and will help create a better quality compost.
You can use: fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, cut flowers, bedding plants, straw and hay, vegetable plant remains, strawy manure, hedge clippings, soft prunings, perennial weeds, vegetarian animal bedding, autumn leaves, sawdust, wood shavings, hair, vacuum bags, cardboard and newspaper. Egg shells can be used to add structure and air pockets but they do take a long time to break down. To speed up their decomposition, cook the shells in an oven to make them brittle.
Do not use: meat, fish, bones, cooked food, milk, fats, oils, glossy or coloured paper, diseased plants or cat and dog poo.
Your compost should be damp like a wrung-out sponge. If it does appear to be too wet, just add some paper or cardboard to absorb the excess moisture. On the other hand, if it is too dry then add some water and give the compost a stir. This stirring will also aerate the mix, providing essential oxygen for the creatures living in it and breaking down your waste. If stirring proves difficult it's just as good to use a pole to create air holes through the mixture.
How long will it take?
Compost can be made in approximately 8 weeks but it can take a year or more depending on the materials you use and the amount of effort you put in. The more attention you pay to making an efficient compost bin, the quicker you will get results.
