In a perfect world, we would already be living sustainable lives. The truth is we have a long way to go, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all have a part to play. From recycling to energy-efficient appliances, there are plenty of ways to make a difference. It just so happens that many eco-friendly tips also save you money. What about composting? Well, as it happens, composting is a great way to reduce waste and create organic matter, which is good news for the environment and great news for those veggies you’ve been trying to grow.
A Guide To Composting
We like to think of composting as nature’s best recycling method. Organic matter dies off and decomposes, leaving compost, a nutrient-rich material to feed your garden, lawn or even a farm. Compost is a great organic fertiliser, ideal for potting plants or mulching trees.
You can add lawn trimmings, leaves, and fruit and vegetable scraps to a compost bin and it will all break down into that rich soil. Heat is a key function of the process; the microorganisms contribute to organic decomposition by generating that heat naturally. As the temperature rises, the decomposition process moves quicker, which kills off any of the harmful pathogens that could potentially compromise your compost heap.
So, how do you start your own compost bin?
It’s all about using key ingredients to their best effect. You need green items for nitrogen and brown items for carbon.
Green
Green or nitrogen-rich items ideal for the compost bin include fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings, pruning trimmings, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and manure (cow, horse, chicken – not dog or cat!).
Brown
Brown or carbon-rich items ideal for the compost bin include dried leaves, dried grass, straw, shredded paper, and smaller twigs and branches. If it’s thicker than your little finger, it’s unlikely to break down quickly enough to be much composting help.
Items to Avoid
There are a range of items people think are suitable for composting, but they aren’t. So, don’t be tempted to toss in dairy products or meat scraps; these are only likely to attract pests. Don’t use dog and cat manure, whether you plan to use the compost to fertilise plants for food or not. Plastic and vacuum dust are also not suitable additions.
Getting Started
Start by choosing a compost bin, it should be the right size for your needs, whether big or small. Ensure it’s enclosed because that will help it reach the temperatures it needs for your ingredients to decompose.
You need to locate your compost bin on a flat surface with some shade and away from your home (and think of your neighbours too). Remember, it can get heavy, so you want it to be in a good location to mulch and fertilise your plants without too much heavy lifting.
It’s worth remembering that the smaller an item is, the quicker it will decompose, so break things down as much as possible to help your compost mix break down quicker. Now, get your compost started with a potting mix or old mulch and small twigs. This should cover the bottom of your bin and provide drainage and airflow. From there, you can alternate brown and green materials, lightly watering each layer, until it’s one-third full. If you are concerned about ratios, you want to achieve one-part green to two-part brown, or at least as close to that as possible. Finish with a top layer of soil to trap heat and moisture. You should be able to feel its heat within a day or two, which is a sure sign the contents are decomposing.
You can maintain your compost bin by regularly adding a mix of green and brown materials. Add air to the mix every week, which is as simple as turning your compost materials with a garden fork. It will break down quicker if you aerate it regularly.
If it grows particularly whiffy, add more brown materials and aerate it. If it isn’t breaking down quickly enough, add water and activating ingredients (manure, coffee grounds, comfrey leaves) and aerate more often.
How will you know it’s ready to use?
When your compost is dark and looks like rich soil, it’s ready. How quickly this occurs will depend on how mindful you’ve been looking after your compost bin and how big the bin is, too. It can take several months to reach this point, and it shouldn’t be used until it reaches maturity. The reason for this is it will continue to produce heat, which could damage your plants.
Garden Rubbish Removal in Sydney
If you’re clearing out your garden and preparing for a fruitful harvest, reach out to Cheapest Load of Rubbish to handle your garden rubbish removal in Sydney. You can’t compost everything, and you don’t have to feel bad about that; we’d be more than happy to handle all the bigger items, whether heavy tree branches that won’t break down quickly enough in a compost pile or diseased plants. We uplift all types of green and garden waste. We can even handle old furniture, mattresses, and white goods if you have more to get rid of.
Get in touch with us to arrange a free on-the-spot quote.
