How to make compost

Note: This guide assumes you have a suitable compost bin and understand what you can and can’t compost. If you need information on these first then the links below may be of interest.

• Compost Bin Information
• What can I compost?
• What can’t I compost?

Section 1: Placing your bin

Your compost bin will be well suited placed in a well-drained and level part of your garden. Allowing excess water to drain away stops your compost becoming a slushy mess.

Placing your bin in a partially sunny spot can speed up the composting process.

Section 2: Ingredients

You want to aim to add equal parts of dry and wet items. Dry items include newspaper, egg boxes and hoover dust. Wet items include leaves, vegetable peels and grass.

If you find your compost heap becoming too wet or slimy, try mixing in plenty of dry items and turning well.

Section 3: Mix it up

Adding dry items into your compost and turning well increases the amount of air inside the heap, helping it dry out.

If you find your compost frequenty becoming too wet, make sure the excess water can freely drain away.

The Finished Product

After the composting process has finished you should be left a with dark, rich, soil-like substance. It should smell earthy and may well contain bits of egg shell, small twigs and other harder materials. You can dig this into your garden, and it’s perfect for Growing your own veg.