A good compost can get any gardener excited. I saw this recently while I was running a class on the subject. One participant, who was a long time gardener, had really poor results for years trying to make her own compost. But once she found out a few key steps then everything turned around for her. She is now an enthusiastic convert and just can’t stop praising the virtues of her home made compost!
So what did she learn that made the difference?
The key to a good compost is ‘layering’. It’s no good just putting all of your kitchen scraps in a pile and wishing it would turn into compost. It simply won’t happen. It’s just like making a lasagne, if you have only meat then it’s simply a stew! If you have only pasta then it’s just not lasagne. The same is true for compost.
You need a combination of wet and dry materials to layer your compost properly. Wet materials are high in nitrogen and dry materials are high in carbon. A mix of carbon and nitrogen makes it all decompose.
Simply alternate layers of wet (nitrogen rich) materials with dry (carbon rich) materials. Make each layer about 5cm (2 inches) deep and just keep repeating the layers until you have a big pile made. Compost usually works best if you can collect the materials and construct it in one go. The size of the finished compost heap will generate it’s own internal energy and the heat it gives off will break down the materials quicker.
Avoid any meat products as this will attract parasites and vermin.
Here’s what you can use:
Wet materials: (nitrogen rich)
* vegetable scraps
* citrus peelings
* onion skins
* coffee grounds
* tea leaves
* prawn shells & egg shells (these contain more calcium than nitrogen but are still great for the compost)
Dry materials: (carbon rich)
* shredded office paper
* shredded newspaper (plain print only, no glossy coloured magazines)
* shredded cardboard
* hair
* vacuum cleaner dust
* dry leaves (not fresh green ones)
* straw
* sawdust
Happy Composting!!!!
The Veggie Lady
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