by Jed Eane

Created on: May 05, 2008   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

Not only is composting a very useful process, it's also an immensely satisfying one. You throw away all those bits of kitchen waste you don't need, and they result in a nutrient-rich fertilizer which helps your plants to flourish. And as well as producing material that your garden will love you for, you also get to reduce the amount of waste you would otherwise be sending off to your local landfill site.

One of the best features of composting is that it requires no fancy equipment or expert knowledge. A simple composter can be made from a few planks of wood nailed together to produce a box in which to house your compost. If you can, build an access point in the bottom of your composter so you can remove the compost when it's ready (as you add to it, the material at the bottom will be ready to use before the newer material at the bottom). Place your composter, which should have no bottom, directly on the soil; this will allow worms to get in and moisture to drain away. While some people are restricted as to where they can place their composter, it should be positioned so that it's relatively easy to reach, otherwise there's every chance you won't compost!

When it comes to what you put into your composter, think of it as a strict vegetarian, with aspirations of being a vegan, that eats only uncooked food. This means you can add fruit and vegetables peelings; egg shells; tea; coffee grounds; dead plants; woody prunings; rabbit, gerbil, hamster, and guinea pig bedding; leaves; newspaper; and cardboard. The best compost is produced when you get the mix right, which you can achieve with wet, sappy materials and dry, tough ones. Torn strips of newspaper and hedge clippings will help absorb moisture if your mix is too wet. Air is also important for making compost, especially during the summer months when the composting organisms are at their most active. You can create air pockets in your compost by adding scrunched-up cardboard, and agitating the compost every few weeks will help make air holes.

Don't ever be tempted to see if your composter is really a carnivore at heart. If you include any meat products in your composter you run the risk of attracting vermin to your garden. And it's not only you who won't be too pleased to see rats running around outside, your neighbors won't either. If you're unsure about what you can and can't place in your composter, find out. Most local councils have websites with details about composting, and some even produce literature which you can keep by your kitchen waste basket to act as a reminder.

It takes around 18 months to produce compost. Once it's ready, there are a number of ways you can use it:

- Add compost to your soil in the spring and summer so that plants can benefit during the growing season. Either dig it into the top of the soil or leave it on the surface to act as a mulch (ensure the surface of the soil is wet before doing so).

- Apply a thin layer of sifted compost to your lawn as a top dressing in spring or summer.

- Vegetables like a rich soil, so add compost to your vegetable patch every year.

- A layer of compost can be added to the surface of pots and containers in the spring.

Compost is easy to produce and a great way to recycle leftovers. Keep a small receptacle in your kitchen, fill it with waste, and then once a week place this waste in your composter. It's a wonderful recycling process that your garden will very much appreciate!

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