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Home Composting
Why compost?
Garden wastes and food scraps are collectively referred to as organics. These make up around 40 to 44% of waste which is sent to landfill each year. Organics are particularly bad once sealed in a landfill as they breakdown to form methane gas – one of the worse greenhouse gases. Composting does not form methane gas as the materials have access to the air which prevents methane from forming. Organic materials also contribute to landfill leachate which can contaminate groundwater systems.
So rather than fill up the landfills, create greenhouse gases, and risk contamination of groundwater supplies, why not set up a compost system which will give you great soil for your garden?
How do I compost?
Composting is easy as worms, tiny organisms and insects do all the work for you!
Compost systems need oxygen, moisture and organic materials such as garden waste and food scraps. For composting purposes organic materials are split into two classes, greens and browns. Both types are needed to get the right mix. A good general starting point it green one part, brown one part. These should be placed in alternating layers.
Examples of green materials are:
* Lawn clippings (but these must be free of weedkillers)
* Weeds (but not gorse, ivy, broom, convovulus and other invasive weeds). If you are unsure whether you should include it in your compost, try asking an elderly neighbour with a nice garden, they are generally only too happy to pass on their knowledge
Food scraps including cabbage leafs, potato peelings etc. Try to avoid meat and dairy products as these can attract vermin and your neighbours won’t thank you. To get rid meat and dairly products, visit www.bokkashi.co.nz
There are a variety of compost systems available. These include the compost heap, the compost bins or the rotating drum. I have used all with success.
If you use a compost heap it is important to keep it tidy otherwise it comes untidy, difficult to turn and can just turn into a dumping area.
Moisture is important for a compost system. Too little moisture and the compost will dry out, the worms and insects will die, and the composting system will stop. Too much water and the system will turn into a slimy horrible smelly mess. The temperature will drop, and the composting system will stop.
www.reducerubbish.govt.nz/compost
Where can I buy the bins?
The following businesses offer compost bins for sale
Mitre 10
03 434 9860
Corner Severn & Cross Street
Oamaru
www.mitre10.co.nz
Placemakers
03 433 0460
19 Humber Street
Oamaru
How do I make my own Bin?
It is easy to make your own bins. Four old pallets as sides work well, as do old gates. Consider some form of lid to keep excessive rain off you compost or the temperature will drop. Most large scale gardens have two or three bins so they compost away while the new compost is being layered down.
Quick links
Worm Farms
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