Club50! - for the over 50's
Composting
The soil in your garden is your most valuable asset and the basis for a successful and productive garden. Therefore, it is only common sense that you take care of it accordingly and one such way is by regularly adding compost and manure. Unfortunately, farmyard manure is not readily available to most people but compost certainly is. It is eco-friendly, it’s free and it’s easy to make:
Get yourself a compost bin:
These can be made by yourself or purchased and if you have enough space you can just make a big mound.
Site your compost bin:
Your bin should be sited on soil that is a level and well-drained spot, which allows excess water to drain out as well as it making easier for microbes, insects and worms to get in – these being one of the main ways by which the contents of your bin will be turned from waste to compost. Warmth is another factor that can speed up the composting process, so placing your bin in a sunny spot is also a good idea. If you have to place the bin on a surface other than soil it is advisable to add a thin layer of soil to the bottom of the bin as this will contain the necessary microbes and hopefully worms. Also it doesn’t hurt to add the odd worm that you might find around the garden.
Start adding your waste:
A good variety of different waste products in your compost will ensure you get the best results. The general rule is if it rots it can be composted but if you would like to check:
Some items that can be composted need a little more attention:
Citrus Fruit Peel, Cores and Pulp: These can be can be added to your compost, but they may take longer to break down. It is best to chop them up into smaller pieces for the best results.
Grass Cuttings: Gradually add small amounts of old grass cuttings to compost and mix it with more fibrous materials such as shredded paper and crumpled cardboard. Do not add freshly cut grass cuttings to your compost in large amounts as it tends to turn into a large slimy lump!
Leaves: Fallen leaves make really good compost and they do speed up the composting process. However, they do take much longer to break down than most materials, so if you have large quantities it is a good idea add some to your general compost but also to create a separate leaf compost bin.
There are also things that should not be placed in the compost, these include:
- Cooked vegetables
- Meat
- Dairy products
- Fish
- Dog mess
- Cat litter
- Nappies
- Perennial weeds
- Plastic
- Glass
- Metals
- Diseased plants
- Seeds/Seed heads
Successful composting:
Getting the mix right is the art of successful composting. Make sure you have a balanced mix of materials not too much “greens” (plant cuttings, grass etc) and not too much “browns” stuff (paper, cardboard etc). Also make sure it is not too wet or too dry; if it is too dry add some “greens” or some water and if too wet add some of “browns”. If there are ants, bees or wasps around your compost it is probably too dry and if it smells it is probably too wet. You can also test by simply putting your hand in the compost.
If there are bluebottles or rodents visiting your compost you probably have meat, fish, dairy products or bread in the compost – this should be removed.
You may also get fruit flies, which are quite harmless, covering the compost with a layer of soil, grass cuttings, shredded paper or even a piece of old carpet will usually get rid of them. It will also keep the compost warmer/drier, especially in the winter months.
You can accelerate the composting process by regularly turning and aerating your compost also by adding compost activators, which will speed up the composting process. These come in both pellet and liquid form and can be purchased from your local garden centre or be made at home.
Finished compost:
It can take from six months to a year to get good compost. It is a dark brown/black soil-like material that you find at the bottom of the compost bin.
Adding the finished compost to your garden adds many positive nutrients it also helps retain moisture, which greatly improves the quality of the soil and suppresses weeds. Also, when mixed with sand and loam it is ideal for potting plants.
Build or Buy:
Compost can be created by just putting it in a pile. However, this is not the tidiest way and it is best suited to large plots. Alternatively, you can make your own or they can be bought from almost any DIY store, although we would suggest you check with Recyclenow 
who have various deals with local authorities.
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