Home Composting And Water Butts

What is compost?

Compost is organic matter, such as garden waste or uncooked kitchen vegetable scraps, which decomposes to form a dark brown, oil-like material, rich in plant nutrients.

During composting, microscopic organisms use the organic waste to feed on and multiply, as this happens the organic materials are broken down into carbon dioxide, water and a residue. This residue and the remaining micro-organisms form the material that is called compost. When added to the soil, compost improves the structure and enhances the biological activity that is vital for healthy plant growth.

Why Compost?

Up to 30% of household rubbish is organic and suitable for composting. By taking this out of the bin and not landfilling it we are helping to protect the environment.

Garden bonfires are polluting and create a nuisance. Composting stops the need for burning.

In the UK alone up to 94% of peat bogs have been damaged, destroying the habitats of the rare plants and animals that live there. Composting organic waste is a great alternative to peat.

Composting is the easiest way to recycle your waste because you can do it at home and involve all of the family.

 What materials can I compost? 

Compost bins are placed within easy access to your kitchen and it is important to:

• Provide good drainage by avoiding locating it on a paved or concrete surface.
• Put wire netting underneath the base of the compost bin to prevent access by vermin.
• Add waste in layers, some from the kitchen then some from the garden to provide a mixture of organic materials.
• Turn or mix your compost material regularly as the more air you can get into your compost pile the faster it will create compost.
• Keep your heap moist so the composting process works. It should be as moist as a squeezed out sponge.
• Ensure the heap does not become too wet as it will not compost effectively.

A good compost is all about the mix! It needs both wet and dry material, greens and browns.

• The green wet soft material for example fresh plants are nitrogen rich materials and will help provide nutrients to your plants.
• The brown dryer, harder absorbent materials for example dead leaves are carbon rich and help the structure of your soil.
• Try to get an even mixture of your dry browns and your wet green materials.
• If composting on a concrete area try adding a small amount of healthy soil to get micro-organisms in there from the start.

What do I do with my compost?

There are many uses for your compost. It can be used as:

• an organic fertiliser.
• a mulch.
• a soil substitute.
• a top dressing.

Not all vegetables benefit from 'fresh' compost applications. Some vegetables prefer another crop to have been grown on the compost first. Vegetables that benefit most from 'fresh' compost include:

• potatoes
• the cucumber family
• leafy crops
• asparagus
• globe artichokes
• tomatoes
• celery
• leeks
• onions

Plants that prefer to be the 'second crop' to benefit from compost include root crops, such as carrots and parsnips.

Home Composter Offer

We are offering residents the opportunity to purchase composters at reduced rates. To place your order for a composter or for any composting accessories i.e. kitchen caddies, please check the recycle now website for details of the composter bins that are on special offer in your area . Alternatively, to download and print a postal order form please click on the link on the right.

A Green Cone Food Waste Digester system is also available from www.greencone.com . Green Cone is a food waste digester in which waste that cannot be composted such as meat, fish, dairy products, bones and ALL cooked food can be disposed of in. This is in addition to fruit and vegetable peelings.

The Green Cone food waste digester comes complete with a kitchen caddy and accelerator powder and shaker.

---

Waterbutts

Water butt offers are now available through local water companies. To ascertain if your water company is part of the scheme contact your water company directly. Your water bill will identify your mains water supplier. Two suppliers for our area are Wessex Water and Bournemouth and West Hampshire water .

For example, Wessex Water is for example offering this special offer on waterbutts .