How to create a compost bin this spring
Compost is a natural way to fertilise your garden but most importantly a great way to help the environment.
- Find the right position for the compost bin: we recommend a nice shaded area and well drained. By exposing the bin to too much sun it will dry the compost out. For the best results we recommend a tumbling bin, which produces compost faster due to aeration, keeps out rats and looks neater.
- Start mixing your materials together: Add organic compost and straw to the bin to get started. Make sure you have an even ratio of brown to green waste. Brown waste is high carbon material such as paper, cardboard and straw. Green waste is high in nitrogen, such as coffee grounds, manure and kitchen waste. Normally you would need to layer the different waste types, but in a tumbler bin you can just throw it all in and mix together.
- Turn the tumbler weekly: Turn the tumbler bin at least once a week. To ensure best results do not put meat products, dog or cat faeces or diseased plant material in with the compost.
- Maturing: compost can take a few months or as long as a year. Organic green waste from your kitchen can be continually added throughout the maturity stage, same for brown waste. Ensure the same quantities of brown and green waste are added to maintain a healthy compost. Once it looks like soil and smells earthy, the compost is ready to use on your garden.
Information created by Bunnings, for more info visit their website.