How to make compost

Adding compost to the garden is one of the best ways of improving the soil and therefore plant growth and productivity. Compost greatly increases the nutrient levels in the soil as well as improving soil structure, drainage, and also encouraging useful micro-organisms. It's also a great way of recycling waste that would normally end up in a landfill site, so you are doing your bit for the environment too.

When you create a compost heap you are aiming to speed up the rotting process of material that was once living. Most ex-living material will eventually break down into compost, but for best results be selective about what you put on the heap. Compost heaps rely on heat created in the pile and micro-organisms to break down the matter and turn it into compost, good air flow is essential and regular mixing of the heap also speed up the process. Ideally a compost heap should be at least a cubic meter in size, large enough to generate adequate heat for decomposition.

What to put in
Most raw vegetable matter is ideal for composting, so collect all kitchen waste and chuck it in. Cooked vegetables and meat are not ideal because they attract unwanted vermin.

Grass clippings can be added and are great source of nitrogen but be sure to mix them in well because too much can turn into sludge and inhibit air low.

Most garden waste can be introduced, even weeds! The heat in a large composter will eventually kill off most weed seeds, but try to only put on young weeds that have not have not set seed. Never add pernicious weeds such as bindweed, or creeping buttercup otherwise you risk spreading them back in the garden.

You can also add straw (soak it first), shredded newspaper, animal manure (not cat or dog mess though), leaves, and even vacuum dust. Be sure to shred up evergreen leaves and woody cuttings first as they take a long time to decompose.

Adding an activator
Adding an activator like grass, nettles, comfrey, pondweed, seaweed or manure will help to speed up the process. You can also buy commercially-produced activators from the garden centre, one of the best being biotal, or use blood and bone meal.

You can get compost bins from your local council who will also provide an information sheet to help you along.

Alternatively you could try a worm composter. The worms chomp their way through the garden waste, much like when they are in the garden and really help produce fantastic quality compost.

You'll know your compost is be ready to use when the contents are no longer recognisable!