Topical matters 

We believe gardeners whilst thrifty by nature are also keen to help the environment and what better way than to recycle waste materials.  Here we look at some of the processes. 

Composting 

Compost-making recycles a wide range of kitchen and garden waste.  Although not generally considered the most glamorous of materials, there is something very satisfying about making compost, which turns all kinds of kitchen and garden waste into a rich, crumbly material that will benefit the garden enormously.

Well-made compost is invaluable for digging in to improve soil condition and can also be used as an excellent mulch material. 

How to do it

• Fill the bin so that there is a good mix of sappy and more solid materials, and keep wooden bins covered with polythene or old carpet.  If you are using a lot of drier material then water the heap so that it is evenly moist but not saturated this will speed up decomposition.  Proprietary compost activators can also aid the decomposition process, as will thin layers of garden soil or fresh manure.  Most organic matter can be added to the heap including shredded newspaper to bulk it out.
• Add kitchen and garden waste to the compost bin in layers, spreading it evenly to avoid air pockets. 
• Scatter grass clippings across the heap, rather than leaving them as a solid mass, which will become slimy and unpleasant.
• To accelerate the composting process, sprinkle the heap with a liquid or granular compost activator every 15—23cm (6—9in) or so, or add a thin layer of organic matter. 
• For best results, turn the heap after a few weeks.
• Keep the bin covered when not in use.
• Empty it out then pile the base with the browner, crumbly material, forking drier material into the centre of the heap.
• Plastic, open-based compost bins also work well but pyramidal models are the easiest to lift off when the heap needs turning. 
• A hatch is a convenient access for the removal of compost. 

TIPS

• If you want to save the time involved in turning the compost heap, simply empty it out when most of the matter has rotted down, forking any drier, less decomposed material into the base of a new heap.
• Several bins will produce a constant supply of home-made compost. 

The materials to avoid are

• Meat, which attracts rodents
• Weeds that have set seed
• Roots of perennial weeds such as bindweed
• Diseased plant material which can survive the composting process and re-infect the garden