Why Compost?
Compost is often called "black gold" by gardeners — and for good reason. A well-made compost adds essential nutrients to your soil, improves drainage in heavy clay, retains moisture in sandy ground, and introduces beneficial microorganisms that keep plants healthy. It also diverts a significant amount of household waste from landfill, making it one of the greenest habits you can adopt at home.
What Can You Compost?
The key to good compost is balance: you need a mix of greens (nitrogen-rich materials) and browns (carbon-rich materials) in roughly equal volumes by weight.
Greens (Nitrogen-Rich)
- Vegetable and fruit peelings
- Grass clippings
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Fresh plant trimmings and weeds (before they seed)
Browns (Carbon-Rich)
- Cardboard and paper (torn into pieces)
- Dry leaves and straw
- Egg boxes and paper bags
- Woody prunings (chipped or broken up)
What to Avoid
- Cooked food, meat, and fish — attract pests
- Dairy products
- Diseased plants — may spread infection
- Persistent weeds like bindweed or couch grass
- Glossy printed paper or treated cardboard
Choosing the Right Compost System
The right composting setup depends on how much space and time you have:
| Method | Space Needed | Time to Compost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compost bin | Small–medium garden | 6–12 months | Most households |
| Open heap | Larger garden | 6–18 months | Lots of garden waste |
| Tumbler | Small garden / patio | 4–8 weeks | Faster results, less effort |
| Worm bin (vermicompost) | Indoors or small outdoor space | 2–3 months | Flats and small homes |
How to Build a Compost Heap
- Choose your location — a partially shaded spot on bare soil (allowing worms to enter from below)
- Start with a brown base layer — cardboard, dry leaves, or straw about 10cm deep
- Add alternating layers — greens and browns in roughly equal amounts
- Keep it moist but not wet — the heap should feel like a wrung-out sponge
- Turn it regularly — every few weeks, mix the heap to introduce oxygen and speed decomposition
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Slimy and smelly: Too many greens or too wet — add more browns and turn the heap
- Nothing is happening: Too dry or too many browns — add water and some nitrogen-rich material
- Attracting pests: Avoid adding cooked food; use a bin with a lid
- Taking too long: Make the pieces smaller, turn more frequently, and ensure the balance is right
Using Your Finished Compost
Ready compost is dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy — like woodland soil. Use it to:
- Dig into vegetable beds before planting
- Top-dress lawns in spring
- Improve potting mixes (blend 50/50 with multipurpose compost)
- Mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture
Composting is a long game — your first batch may take time — but once your system is running, it becomes an effortless part of the gardening routine that pays dividends every season.