What sort of composter should I buy?
No comments
I’m thinking of starting a compost heap in our garden but I don’t know much about it. We’re a family of four with a fairly small garden. What kind of composter should we be looking at and what should – or shouldn’t – we put in there?
Composting is such fun and the whole family can get involved. Those with a very small garden might be better to look at a wormery as an option. They take up less space and can be moved about. I would recommend the Worm Café from www.wigglywigglers.co.uk.
However, if you are keen to have a go at a traditional compost you have many options. You can either invest in a purpose-built bin or build your own. If you are making your won then don’t make it too big as this will slow down the composting process. The most important feature is that you are able to gain access to the contents in order to turn it. Pick a level and well-drained site for your composter – don’t sit it on a solid base – choose soil or lawn.
For the first layer in the compost bin use something fairly woody such as garden twigs and then build up the layers gradually with organic matter such as straw, paper, garden clippings and kitchen waist. If you fill a heap entirely with grass cuttings or kitchen waste it will turn to mush.
The trick is to have a good mix of woody and green material. The smaller the content is the quicker it will turn to compost so many gardeners will cut up or chop the content first. Keep the heap damp and control this with a lid or cover with a piece of old carpet.
Avoid cooked food, fats and meat as this will soon attract flies and rats.
If you turn the heap regularly you should have compost within a year. Home-made compost is perfect for adding to borders to improve the fertility of the soil.
Tamsin Westhorpe - Editor, The English Garden magazine
