| So you're a garden composter. You've learned how | | | | next compost heap, and bash them up a bit before |
| to make compost. You've made, bought, borrowed | | | | adding to heaps in the future), but overall your |
| or stolen a compost bin. You're adding garden waste | | | | garden compost will be complete. |
| and recycling kitchen scraps. Now the awkward bit - | | | | If you add manure from any omnivores or carnivores |
| the wait... How long will it take to make the | | | | and you are unsure the heap has been working |
| compost? | | | | efficiently give the pile six months before using. |
| If you have a reasonably large compost bin (say 1 | | | | How to Tell the Compost Heap is Working Efficiently. |
| metre cubed), the chances are you could go on filling | | | | I recommend regularly having a cheeky look under |
| it indefinitely. As you add to the top, the garden and | | | | the cover of your compost heap to see how its |
| kitchen waste underneath will slowly be decomposing, | | | | getting on. If it seems very dry you can add some |
| composting and creating humus. As it does this the | | | | water. If the compost seems very wet you can |
| organic matter shrinks. That leaves you more room | | | | leave the cover off and let it dry out! |
| on the top, to add more garden and kitchen waste. | | | | Your compost should get hot within the first month |
| The dilemma is, if you never run out of space for | | | | of you 'capping off' the compost heap. At times the |
| the garden waste, chances are you will just go on | | | | compost can actually be dangerously hot so be |
| and on, adding more and never seeing the benefit of | | | | careful. If you see steam, don't touch it! I have been |
| the rich garden compost you have made! | | | | caught out by decomposing grass clippings, which |
| For those of you with smaller compost bins such as | | | | break down so quickly and give off such huge |
| the beehive compost bin, or a kitchen composter, no | | | | amounts of heat and steam, to burn the hands when |
| such worries. You will run out of space relatively | | | | checking the compost heap. |
| quickly and so automatically stop adding more garden | | | | This heat is the thing that quickly kills off any nasty |
| waste and naturally wait patiently for your new | | | | pathogens in the compost heap. Those pathogens will |
| garden compost to be created. In your case you will | | | | most likely come from food and manure. They're |
| have discovered pretty quickly that you need at | | | | nothing to worry about so long as you remember |
| least two compost bins! | | | | strict hygiene rules when dealing with compost |
| Time Limit for Creating the Compost Heap | | | | (you're not going to eat it, now are you?). |
| Unless you have a compost bin you easily fill quickly, | | | | Cold Compost Tip: If your compost doesn't get hot, |
| you'll need to set yourself a time limit for creating the | | | | decomposition will still occur, but may take a little |
| compost heap. And, you will need to stick to it! The | | | | longer. This is particularly common in cool climates |
| very best way to do this, is to keep a record of | | | | where the compost struggles to become a quick hot |
| when you started your compost pile. Then, according | | | | heap. |
| to available space and time you expect to take to fill | | | | Once the compost has heated, it will cool again. At |
| it, assign yourself a date when you will stop putting | | | | this point - when you see no more steam, you can |
| garden waste on that heap. | | | | turn the compost. |
| We have various compost heaps of different sizes | | | | Turning a Compost Heap |
| from 1/2m cubed to 1m cubed. For the smaller | | | | Now, some people swear that you have to turn |
| compost piles I give myself 3 months in which to | | | | compost and others (like myself) swear you don't! |
| create the pile. For the larger, we give them 6 | | | | Personally, if the compost is heating up nicely and |
| months of 'creation'. Once that date is reached we | | | | decomposing I really don't see the point. But, a |
| cap off the compost heap and start creating another. | | | | compost heap which isn't turned may run the (not |
| 'Capping Off' a Compost Heap | | | | too serious) risk of having non-decomposed matter |
| For those using sealed compost bins, this step is not | | | | around its edges. But, because we've 'capped off' the |
| required. But if you're making compost out in the | | | | compost heap with garden waste which breaks |
| open, for example in a wooden bay with no lid, you | | | | down easily we shouldn't have that problem! |
| need to protect the compost heap from the | | | | I never turn my compost heaps. Occasionally I do |
| elements a little. | | | | find the odd woody bit of matter around the edges |
| * Firstly, if its been dry throw on a bucket or two of | | | | of the heap that hasn't completely broken down. I |
| water to moisten the whole heap. | | | | don't see it as a major problem. I just throw any |
| * Then add a layer of thick insulating organic matter. | | | | such bits and bobs onto the next heap. |
| such as grass clippings or manure. This will keep the | | | | But, if you really want to turn your compost heap. |
| heap warm, and seal in smells so no vermin (or pets) | | | | Here is how its done: |
| are attracted to the compost. | | | | * Pull everything out of your compost bin or |
| * If you experience heavy rain, cover with old | | | | compost making area. |
| carpet, plastic sheeting or an old tarpaulin to deflect | | | | * Put everything back in your compost bin, or |
| the heaviest rainwater. | | | | compost heap area. |
| * Note down the date of 'compost heap completion'. | | | | Not complicated at all. But, you do need to make |
| * Wait! | | | | sure the stuff originally from around the edges of |
| When will the Compost be Ready? | | | | the heap, goes into the middle of your new one. |
| Okay, so how long you wait for the compost to be | | | | And, conversely all the stuff originally from the middle |
| ready depends primarily on the following: | | | | of the heap, goes around the edges of the new one. |
| * Climate - in warmer weather decomposition is | | | | Once the compost heap has been turned, you should |
| faster. | | | | find it will heat up again which will speed up |
| * Moisture - you need to ensure the compost heap is | | | | decomposition. |
| moist (not saturated) throughout the time you're | | | | Unless you have a compost heap which is |
| waiting for it to develop into full blown garden | | | | free-standing and cold with no organic matter you |
| compost. | | | | can insulate it or cap it off with, I find turning the |
| * Content Size - lots of thick woody things will take | | | | heap unnecessary. |
| longer to decompose than lots of small sappy things. | | | | Don't turn your compost heap unless you need to, |
| * Content Type - most garden and kitchen waste will | | | | and are going to do it thoroughly. Otherwise it will be |
| break down pretty fast (within three months so long | | | | a waste of time for a huge amount of effort. |
| as it isn't too cold, the particles are well mixed and of | | | | When is My Compost Ready? |
| relatively small size). But certain foodstuffs such as | | | | I hope this post helps. A well made compost heap |
| bones and egg-shells are pretty dense. These will | | | | should be ready in three to six months. But, any |
| take 6 months or more to break down. Manure from | | | | garden composter will vary due to site and contents. |
| people (humanure) or animals from non organic farms | | | | How long compost takes to be ready is highly |
| may contain veterinary chemical residues. These will | | | | variable. If you use plastic or wooden sealed compost |
| be gone in three months. But if you farm organically | | | | bins you can be pretty sure the compost will be |
| and sell your produce, you may need to adhere to | | | | ready in three months, as they ensure the compost |
| Soil Association guidelines requiring you not to use | | | | stays moist and warm. |
| such composts (including non-organic pig or poultry | | | | Our compost heaps are built in open boxes made of |
| manure) for up to six months. | | | | pallets, so are halfway between a free-standing |
| Yes, But How Long do I Need to Wait for My | | | | compost heap and compost made in a compost bin. |
| Compost? | | | | In the summer our compost heaps take less than |
| As a rule of thumb. If it doesn't get too cold, and | | | | three months to break down, but in the winter it is |
| you've been a good garden composter, building a | | | | four or five. |
| varied compost heap it should be crumbly hummus in | | | | And when yours is ready grow some lovely potatoes |
| three months. You may still see the odd egg-shell or | | | | like the ones above! |
| bleached bone (in which case throw them on the | | | | |