Top tips for composting

• Always mix soft green wastes and tougher material. Avoid heavy layers of grass cuttings or leaves.
• Add large amounts of material in one go! By adding large amounts of waste you are helping to increase the temperature inside the compost. Composting works best at high temperatures, as the rotting process is quicker. The largest composters are therefore more effective and efficient than smaller ones.
• Turn your compost heap regularly (at least once per month). This will improve air circulation and quicken up the rotting process.
• Keep the compost damp, but not wet. If the compost is drying out add small quantities of water, grass clippings or leafy material. Don’t over-water!
• Keep the compost covered - this will keep the heat in, and prevent excessive water collection, speeding up the decomposition process.
• A good compost heap requires nitrogen. If you want to speed up the rooting process even more add a nitrogen-rich source - for example, farmyard manure or an activator such as ammonium sulphate.
• When adding kitchen waste, bury it 30 centimetres below the surface. This will keep flies away from the compost pile.
• If you leave the compost heap for 6-12 months, this will allow the Chompers to do their work and a dark, rich, fibrous compost is then produced.
• If you have the space, you could more effective at composting by having two compost bins. This way, one could be used for all of the fresh waste to go into, and the other to hold the rotting compost.
• Human urine is a highly effective compost activator or catalyst and can help speed up the process of decomposition. Companies do not use this as an accelerant, due to public hygiene, however, it is up to you whether or not you use this as an activator on your own compost bin.
• Compost can help protect growing crops. If spread around the crops it forms a barrier and kills off most of the disease-causing factors. It also aids moisture retention.