Composting...It's Good - How to guide

There are many things that can be recycled, re-used, repurposed and generally made to be useful. It always amazes me the amount of things that get thrown away which ultimately don’t need to end up in landfill. I feel a huge sense of urgency to get the population to throw less, with food waste being a big one.

I love how there is more thought going into using more products close to their sell-by date with cafes (The Real Junk Food Project... google it! There are loads in the UK!!) and community ventures like FoodCycle and FareShare and even apps like 'Olio' and 'Too Good to Go' getting in on the act.

Composting is a natural process that transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich "black gold" for your garden. It's good for the environment, saves you money, and helps you grow healthier plants – all with minimal effort.

Why Compost?

As if you needed it pointing out but just in case you’re not aware, here are some reasons to join the composting revolution:

• Reduce Waste: Food scraps make up a huge portion of landfill waste. Composting diverts this organic matter, creating usable soil instead of harmful methane gas.

• Save Money: Skip the expensive store-bought fertilisers! Compost provides essential nutrients for your plants, making them thrive naturally.

• Improve Soil Health: Compost helps retain moisture, improves drainage, and feeds beneficial microbes in the soil. This leads to stronger, healthier plants.

• Eliminate smelly bins: When you dispose of leftover food in a bin you are putting it into a warm, dark environment. This is ideal for bacterial, fungal and other microorganisms to grow and as they decompose the organic matter it creates a strong, unpleasant smell as they multiply and release waste products into the air. Through composting the rotting food waste no longer resides in your kitchen bin causing it to smell bad.

• Grow tastier food: as we know, soil health is as important as water and sunlight for a plant to grow to its full potential. Nutrient-rich compost means tastier fruits and vegetables for you and your family!

Getting Started with Composting

Composting is easier than you might think although it does require time and patience. It can take many months, sometimes years for your green and brown materials to compost down. Here's a basic guide to get you started:

First of all you will need a compost bin of some kind. This doesn’t need to be expensive and you can make your own using some pallets or I particularly like this one made by a local company The Urban Worm. Place your compost bin in a well-aerated spot that receives some shade. I suggest placing it somewhere it is easy to access because there will be times you will need to add your scraps when it is cold and rainy! Begin adding materials such as lawn cuttings, weeds and kitchen scraps like vegetable peel, egg shells, coffee grounds, teabags. You can even throw in kitchen roll and newspaper but no meat products as this will attract mice and other vermin. I tend to keep a small compost bin in my kitchen which I empty into my outside composter whenever it gets full. This is a wonderful compost caddy for inside your home and made of bamboo….

Pro Tips for Composting Success:

• Chop Up Large Scraps: This speeds up decomposition.

• Avoid Meat and Dairy Products: These attract pests and can make your compost smell bad.

• Maintain Moisture: Water your compost pile if it seems dry.

• Don't Be Afraid of Experimenting: As you get comfortable, research what other materials you can compost (eggshells, coffee filters, etc.).

Composting is a win-win for you and the environment. So, grab a bucket, gather your scraps, and get ready to turn your kitchen waste into garden gold!

I have some premium kitchen compost caddies (see picture below) for sale £22 so please come find me at a local market or I can deliver locally in the Nottingham area. Please contact me sandy@allthingsgreen.uk and we can discuss payment and delivery arrangements.