Creating your own compost is a terrific way to save money and help the environment.

Saving Money and Helping the Environment

Composting provides a host of benefits for both you and our planet including:

Reduction of household waste which in turn saves you money on waste collectionReduction of fuel on transportation of household waste to landfill sitesReduction of greenhouse gases from rotting food in landfill sitesCompost improves soil health by increasing nutrients, which improves plant health and growthIt also encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi And helps soil retain moisture…The Science Behind Composting

Compost is created over time, when waste high in nitrogen (Green Waste) is combined with waste high in carbon (Brown Waste), in an environment that provides both oxygen and water:

Green Waste + Brown Waste + Oxygen (O2) + Water (H2O) + Time = Compost

N.B. It is best to add equal measures of brown and green waste, and to give your mix a gentle turning on a regular basis to encourage air flow.

Hot Composting

If you gather enough waste to create an instant compost heap of around one cubic metre in size, you will provide conditions for hot composting. In these conditions, your compost heap can reach temperatures of 60-70 degrees C. 

The waste materials will break down faster, and your compost could be ready in as little as six months. 

Cold Composting

If you are accumulating waste over time, compost will be created more slowly, and temperatures inside your compost heap will be lower.  Thus, your compost will be ready in a year to eighteen months.

Types of Compost Heap

There are several ways to contain a compost heap.

Wood

I use a wooden surround recycled from a garden shed:

You could also recycle old wooden pallets, doors…

N.B. Cover your compost heap with old carpet or heavy duty plastic, to maintain warmth, and prevent too much moisture/moisture evaporation. 

Ready Made Plastic

You can buy ready made heavy duty plastic compost bins, which provide:

A sealed environment for composting with a removable lid for adding wasteA door to extract compost from the bottom of the compost heap.

N.B. Both types of compost heap must sit on exposed soil. They will also do best in shade.

Tumblers

If you have a site that has no bare soil e.g. a balcony or fully paved back yard, you can still make compost using a tumbler. These are readily available online.

Although they can be a little expensive, they will provide compost in a shorter space of time. 

Gathering your Ingredients

I gather my Green Waste in a purpose made container with an air filter. It is emptied several times a week directly onto my compost heap.

Brown materials are also added on a regular basis.

Green Waste                                                                 Brown Waste

Fruit and Vegetable peelings                                          Leaves

Grass Clippings                                                                  Shredded paper

Coffee Grounds                                                                  Egg cartons

Tea Bags                                                                              Toilet roll /Kitchen roll cardboard…

Eggshells

Chopped up plant material e.g end of season annuals

Flowers that once graced your vases…

A Paper Shredder

As an author/blogger, I write a lot of notes!

I also save correspondence that includes my address and other confidential information.

They all go into my paper shredder:

My shredded paper is then added to my compost bin.

Enjoying The Results

At the end of last summer, I was rewarded with four large containers of heavenly plant food for my garden:

There was enough to feed all my roses, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and bulbs…

I smiled as lots of happy plants celebrated their autumn feast!

Brigid  P. Gallagher is a  retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

She lives in Donegal, Ireland –  an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/r5GCjaetgZk

Facebook: https://facebook.com/watchingthedaisies/

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/author/show/16119226.Brigid_P_Gallagher