At it’s most simple, a compost heap can be built as a pile on a convenient spot of ground. If you use this route, it is advisable to have your heap away from the house as they aren’t the most beautiful looking things! You can also build a structure around the bin to help contain the compost and make it look a little nicer. Most materials can be used including wood, pallets and plywood, or you can, of course, buy a commercial composting bin.

Composting is a totally natural process which happens wherever there are plants. Composting is also very easy!

To get the best compost, a mix of carbon and nitrogen rich materials is key. This means you should mix in carbon rich materials such as dead leaves and branches with greener materials such as grass and kitchen scraps. It is normally best to avoid adding meat to the compost heap as this can attract rats. Paper and cardboard can also be added to the heap, for example magazines, newspapers and loo roll tubes.

To start your compost heap, fill the bottom with twigs to help keep air in the compost heap. Then, just start adding your waste! Many people advocate starting the compost heap with layers of carbon and nitrogen rich materials however if you don’t have enough to do this, just start adding things and they will still break down.

Wherever possible, you should shred or break up whatever you are putting into the bin into small pieces otherwise it will take a long time to rot down. The largest particle sizes are ideally 2 inches wide or less. It is also important to try and keep your compost heap relatively moist. A good rule of thumb is to have a heap that glistens with moisture but doesn’t drip.

Grass clippings are excellent for adding to compost heaps as they help heat them up as they decompose and therefore speed the decomposition process up. However large amounts of grass clippings may restrict the air in the compost heap and the grass will then turn to a sludgey mess. If you have large quantities of grass clippings to compost, it is advisable to add them in portions over time to ensure they break down well.

Your compost heap should be turned regularly to allow for air to circulate and to speed up the composting process. However if you don’t have the time or the tools to do this, you can leave you compost heap as it is and eventually everything will break down, however the process may take slightly longer before good quality compost is made.

Still got questions? Read our Composting FAQ for more help and advice.

Related posts:

1. Composting FAQ
2. Elevated levels of CO2 may cause food to become less nutritious
3. Greener Driveways

Should I use a container?

We would advise using a container or a compost bin to hold your compost. There are several reasons to consider:
- If you live in an area with a lot of rain, a container will prevent your compost from becoming waterlogged. If compost becomes heavily waterlogged, it may slow down or temporarily stop the composting process. This may then cause the heap to become anaerobic and give off nasty smells.
- Containers help conserve heat in the compost heap, particularly in colder regions
- A container will help confine the compost heap to a specific area, ensuring everything in your garden stays neat and tidy.
- Some containers are designed to make it easier for the materials deposited to turn into compost.
- Without using a container, rodents and small animals may be attracted to the compost heap. A container should prevent this from happening.

What are the best ingredients for top quality compost?

A good blend of carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials is the key – a carbon to nitrogen ration of about 30 to 1 is a good approximation for a good mix. This means mixing equal carbon-rich materials such as dead leaves and branches with green materials such as grass. Kitchen scraps such as vegetable peelings, along with tea bags and bread are also excellent to throw into the mix. Usually, it is best to avoid animal proteins in your compost heap.

What are the common problems I might have?

One common problem is getting the wrong mix of materials. Often in summer, huge quantites of grass clippings get dumped into the compost heap, turning everything into a nasty goo. Try and keep things balanced and don’t add too much of any one thing at one time or you will end up with nasty-smelling mess.

Another common problem is particles that are too large. Big objects such as tree branches will not decompose easily. If possible, turn larger object into smaller ones for example turn a tree branch into wood chip. If you add lots of large objects to your compost heap, you pile will not settle nicely as the parts start to decompose. This means that it will lack the porosity it needs to allow oxygen to the centre of the heap causing the composting process to slow or stop. The largest particle sizes should be about 2 inches wide.

It is also important to keep your compost heap moist, but not too moist. Composting happens best when moisture levels are around 50-60%. A good rule of thumb is to keep the pile damp enough that it glistens with moisture but doesn’t drip.

The size of the pile is also important – you need a good sized pile before composting can begin in earnest. 1 cubic yard of composting materials is a good size to start at.

How often should I turn the heap?

When temperatures dip below 120 degrees, it is the ideal time to turn the pile. If you have a thermometer, check the centre of the pile. You pile should easily reach temperatures of 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit if you have the optimal conditions in your heap.

When you turn the pile, make sure that the outside ends up on the inside so that everything put into the heap gets exposed to the heat of the composting process. Commercial composters tend to ensure that their compost heaps achieve temperatures of over 131 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two weeks to ensure that all plant diseases are killed.

How long does compost take to make?

This is entirely dependent on the conditions of the compost heap itself, how it is maintained and how it is constructed. With an optimal blend of ingredients, the right moisture levels, the right temperatures and turning the pile every couple of days, it is possible to get compost within a four week period. However, most amateur gardeners are happy to take a more leisurely approach to composting and leave it to nature!

It is worth just going with the flow and adding to the pile as and when you can and continuing to turn the heap regularly to ensure that you always have a ready source of compost.

Click here for our range of top compost bins, from our modular compost bin, through to our timber compost bins

Related posts:

1. Compost Guide
2. Building an Organic Waste System
3. Chicken Feathers Help Store Hydrogen