How to Make Compost at Home
When left to nature, plant material is gradually broken down by bacteria, fungi, worms and other small creatures.
A compost bin allows you to use this process to transform suitable kitchen and garden waste into a free soil improver. Composting reduces waste while producing organic material that can benefit your garden.
Choose the right location
Position your compost bin somewhere sheltered and partly shaded. This protects it from extreme temperatures and helps prevent the contents from becoming too wet or dry.
Placing the bin directly onto soil allows excess water to drain away and makes it easier for worms and other decomposers to enter.
Choose a position that is easy to reach throughout the year, as you will be more likely to use it regularly.
Add green materials
Green materials are soft, moist and rich in nitrogen. Suitable examples include:
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Fruit and vegetable peelings
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Coffee grounds
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Grass clippings
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Annual weeds that have not produced seeds
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Fresh plant trimmings
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Old cut flowers
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Crushed eggshells
Avoid adding large quantities of grass clippings at once, as they can compact into a wet and unpleasant-smelling layer.
Add brown materials
Brown materials are generally drier and rich in carbon. These help create air spaces and balance wetter green ingredients.
Suitable brown materials include:
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Fallen leaves
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Shredded cardboard
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Plain, uncoated paper
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Dry stems
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Chopped twigs
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Shredded woody prunings
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Straw
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Small quantities of sawdust from untreated wood
Cut or shred tougher materials before adding them to help them break down more quickly.
Balance greens and browns
Aim for a varied mixture rather than allowing one ingredient to dominate. As a general guide, between one-quarter and one-half of the contents should be soft green material, with brown material making up the remainder.
Mix grass clippings and food peelings with dry leaves, shredded cardboard or chopped woody material as you add them.
If the compost becomes wet, slimy or smelly, add more brown material. If it remains dry and shows little sign of breaking down, add some green material and a little water.
Keep it moist and aerated
Compost should feel damp like a wrung-out sponge, rather than soaking wet.
Mixing or turning the contents introduces oxygen and helps materials break down more evenly. Turn the compost several times a year if practical, or stir it with a garden fork when it appears compacted.
Cover fresh food peelings with garden material to discourage flies and reduce odours.
What should not go in a home compost bin?
Avoid adding:
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Meat, fish or bones
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Dairy products
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Cooked food
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Dog or cat waste
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Diseased plants
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Pernicious or invasive weeds
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Coal or barbecue ash
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Glossy or coated paper
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Treated wood
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Plastic, glass or metal
These materials may create odours, attract unwanted visitors, spread problems or fail to break down safely.
When is compost ready?
Home-made compost normally takes between six months and two years to mature, depending on the ingredients, weather, bin size and how often it is mixed.
Finished compost should be dark brown, crumbly and smell like damp woodland. Return any recognisable twigs or undecomposed pieces to the bin for the next batch.
Use your finished compost as a mulch or soil improver around established plants. Home-made garden compost is not usually suitable for sowing seeds on its own because its nutrient content and texture can vary.
Start composting at home
Composting is an easy way to recycle plant-based waste while improving the structure, moisture retention and biodiversity of your soil.
Visit Coletta & Tyson Garden Centre in Woodmansey, near Beverley and Hull, to explore our compost bins, garden tools and composting accessories. Our friendly team will be happy to help you get started.