How to: Make your own compost

Make your own compost for a brilliant, natural way to improve the soil in your garden. Composting not only recycles waste, it provides an important habitat for wildlife too.

Composting uses the goodness from decaying plants and turns it into rich soil for new plants to grow in. Compost can be made all year round.

You will need the following:

Position your compost bin in a sunny spot, on soil for good drainage
Top up your compost bin with a mixture of ingredients such as:
- Old plants and leaves
- Lawn clippings
- Fruit and vegetable cuttings and peel
- Egg shells
- Shredded paper
- Cotton and wood materials
Avoid the following:
- Weeds with seeds on
- Synthetic fabrics
- Cooked food
- Meat and fish
- Coal ash
- Pet waste
- Nappies
- Oil
Cover the bin and mix the top few layers every month
The heap will rot down and you can use the rich compost from the bottom of the bin after 5-6 month