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Filling up
landfill sites doesn’t help the pocket or our environment, so think
about composting and keep the goodness where it belongs, in the soil.
There
are a few key things to remember when planning a compost heap. Just like
the estate agents jargon, location is all important.
One of the basic ingredients to break down the ingredients
quickly is heat so set up your compost pile so that the front of it
faces south. It’s the heat inside the pile that speeds up all the
friendly microorganisms which work their way through the debris.
Heat also acts as a ‘thermal kill’, effectively sterilising
unwanted weed seed.
The
other basic necessity is good ventilation. Air flowing through the
decomposing matter provides valuable oxygen to the armies of tiny
organisms. You can improve
air flow by either using a slatted timber construction, with spaces
between the boards for ventilation and by raising the pile a few inches
off the ground. An old palette is ideal for allowing air underneath. As
the heat rises, it pulls air from underneath much like a chimney,
keeping the fire burning in the centre.
Grass
clippings can be added, but its better if they’re mixed with drier
material like leaves so they don’t form a soggy mush which is slow to
break down. If you add larger items like branches, remember to chop them
up as small as possible. Turning
the pile occasionally will also help to mix old debris with new and
distributes the new stuff right under the noses of the microorganisms.
If
you need large amounts of compost quickly you can of course always
cheat! Mushroom compost is
a natural waste product obtainable from mushroom farms. Rich, dark and
full of nutrient, it’s perfect for planting. It might be waste to
some, but for gardeners it’s food for healthier plants.
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