How to Develop A Compost Heap for Fertilising Your Garden
Establishing a compost heap in your garden not only provides you with a place to put your grass clippings, but it will also provide you with a natural fertiliser making machine. Although it’s best to start your compost heap in the springtime, you can start making one at any time of the year.
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Before any work starts on your compost heap, it’s essential that you find the perfect spot for it. Ideally it will be situated in a sunny or partially shaded area that is quite dry. You might want to keep it away from the house as the smell of rotting fruit or whatever you decide to put on it, may attract insects in the summer and you won’t want these near your home. So the end of the garden might turn out to the best place for it.
Once you have identified the right place for it, you will then need to decide how to contain it. You may opt for a commercially available compost bin or one made by yourself from wood and plastic sheeting.
How to build the compost layers of your compost heap
Every compost heap is comprised of green and brown organic material.
The green is thought to be rich in nitrogen and will normally be made up of vegetable peel, grass cuttings and any other plant material that is going to waste.
Brown material is thought to be rich in carbon and is made up of items such as dead flowers, brown leaves and old newspaper. If you are going to add paper to your compost heap, be sure to shred it so that it can break down easier. Any branches need to be chipped or at least broken down into smaller pieces for easier composting.
The secret to a thriving compost heap is to layer the brown and the green alternately. You can start out by putting a layer of brown material such as twigs or straw. Add a little water to dampen up your waste and then add a layer of green. Continue until you have filled your compost heap. If you add soil, you will be adding bacteria that will help to break down the matter into the rich soil fertiliser that will help your plants to thrive and bloom.
Once you have filled the bin to its full capacity, cover it with the tarpaulin/plastic sheeting or close the lid. Some air should be able to get in. The compost will begin to get hot as it starts to break down into compost. Once the compost is cool, it will have slowed its cycle. It’s as this point that you should turn the compost with a fork. This will help to add oxygen and the composting process will continue. You may also need to add a little water – again, don’t soak it.
After 3 months of working with your compost heap in this manner, it will be ready for you to get the benefits from as a fertiliser for your garden.