Brenda writes…
If you’re looking to cut down your rubbish going in the bin, you should check out this garden composter.
This cool, retro, apple green garden composter, is made from metal and will sit unobtrusively in your garden, and has a small hatch for access to your compost.
Available from Nigels Eco Store for £57.99. If you order before 30th September and enter ECOSEP, you get 10% off all September orders.
Here are 6 top tips for getting the best out of your compost bin (via Nigels Eco Store)
1. Site your compost bin on a level, well-drained spot. This allows excess water to drain out and makes it easier for helpful creatures such as worms to get in. Place your bin in a partially sunny spot to help speed up the composting process.
2. Good things to put in include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. Other things you can compost include cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. Crushed eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.
3. Don’t put in cooked vegetables, meat, dairy products, diseased plants, and definitely no dog poo or cat litter, or baby’s nappies. Avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads.
4. The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. If your compost is too wet, add more paper. If it’s too dry, add some vegetable peelings or grass cuttings. Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Adding scrunched up bits of cardboard is a simple way to create air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy. Air can also be added by mixing the contents. After approximately 6-9 months your finished compost will be ready.
5. Finished compost is a dark brown, almost black soil-like layer that you’ll find at the bottom of your compost bin. It has a spongy texture and is rich in nutrients.
6. Spreading the finished compost into your flowerbeds greatly improves soil quality by helping it retain moisture and suppressing weeds.
