


How to compost


Once you build up your compost, you should add fresh material to the pile by mixing them together, rather than simply adding them on top of the existing compost. Mixing and turning your pile is essential for aerating the materials and speeding up the composting process.

Note: You could also buy a composter, rather than making your own pile. You can get a rotating compost tumbler. This makes mixing up your compost regularly very easy.

Finally, a note on Nitrogen

Nitrogen and protein-rich matter (such as manure, food, grass clippings and green leaves) provide raw natural materials that produce enzymes.

Strictly speaking, a healthy pile of compost should have a lot more carbon present than nitrogen. A general rule of thumb is to use 33% green materials and 66% brown materials to make your pile. The bulk created by your brown materials will allow oxygen to penetrate through and nourish any organisms that are residing there. Using too much nitrogen will make for a densely, slowly decomposing anaerobic pile which will also smell really bad! So, for good compost hygiene, covering over your pile with fresh material rich in nitrogen, will help to release any bad odors, once exposed to air, with material rich in carbon. This will leave a fresh smell. Simply add more carbon if you are looking for the right balance!