Composting Tips
Some Tips to help you make great compost.....
Large items will take longer to decompose, so tough corn cobs and stalks should be chopped up.
Small amounts of newspaper can be composted (about 1 newspaper per month can be added to the compost bin). These should be shredded or scrunched up and soaked first.
Dustpan and vacuum dust can be added so long as the floor coverings are made of natural fibres such as wool. Man-made fibres such as nylon do not break down.
Natural fibres can be composted and this includes feathers from pillows, cotton or woollen clothing and even leather. They will all add nutrition to your compost.
For best compost results make sure that you add a variety of materials and mix thoroughly.
Cardboard egg boxes and toilet roll tubes can be composted. Cut them into pieces or scrunch them up and soak them before adding to the compost bin.
Compost Activators
Activators will kick-start or speed up the composting process as it encourages biological activity in the compost bin. Activators are nitrogen rich which provide food for the micro-organisms that live in the compost bin and break down its contents. Activators are:
- Comfrey
- Nettles
- Grass
- Manure (cow, horse or chicken)
- Used pet bedding (guinea-pig, rat, hamster)
