How To Compost: 3 Easy Tips
My very well used compost bin - I got to the top so quickly argh!
I realised I must have been composting at home for quite some time now because I can no longer stomach throwing even a single apple core or banana peel into my ordinary bin without feeling like I’m doing something wrong!
I have to admit that I love composting for a couple of reasons. The first is it makes great nutrient dense compost that I can use to fertilise my veggie patch, but I love also really it because it makes me feel much less guilty about throwing out vegetables or fruit that I have forgotten to use during the week. When I compost them at least I know that it will get re-used in my garden in the future and not be a total waste.
I learned how to compost at home just through some basic trial and error and the main point I want to convey is that it is such a simple process that doesn't need complicating to work just fine. I currently have a standard black compost bin and I keep a container on my bench for veggie scraps. I’ve included the 3 main steps I use to keep my composting rolling along across the year below.
The simple steps I use to compost at home (above) including covering my fruit and vegetable scraps with newspaper, then wetting the paper to keep the environment a little damp
How To Compost | 3 Tips
#1 Layer compost like a lasagne with a balance of wet materials (e.g. veggie scraps) covered with dry materials (e.g. newspapers).
#2 Keep compost damp and do not let it dry out (this kills the microbes who turn the veggie scraps into the actual compost). I water the newspaper with y watering can whenever I add a new layer of scraps.
#3 Be patient! It takes about 6-9 months for compost to fully break down. You can tell that it’s completed when the compost bin is filled with brown dirt-like compost rather than chunks of veggies, fruit and dried flowers.
The compost materials I use - a standard black compost bin and a watering can
Looking for more information? Check out my take on What Can You Put In A Compost Bin and more information about my gardens in All About Salisbury Grange.
