Prepare your garden for winter

It's easy to produce your own free garden compost, so why not save yourself some cash and help save the environment by following a few easy tips.

It is estimated that around 40% of what we put in our refuse bins could be turned into compost - add to this the amount of green waste we take to the tip or burn on bonfires and you've already got a rich source of 'fuel' for producing compost.

Choosing the right compost bin You'll need to think about how big a compost bin you'll need before you start. A 200-300 litre bin should be fine for a small to medium sized garden - try to find one which allows the compost to be mixed up as it will encourage it to break down more quickly. The 'tumbler' style compost bins are a good investment or there is now a spherical bin available (known as a composphere) which can be rolled to wherever you need it.

If you have a large garden or smallholding I'd suggest having several large bins in an area where they can be easily tipped out. Fill up your first bin and leave it while you fill up the second - once this is full, the compost in the first one should have broken down to the point where it is useable. Once you have used it, tip your second bin out and shovel the contents into the first bin - this will break it up and introduce air to help it break down. Then start filling the second bin and repeat the process. If you need more bins you can just add them to this system.

What should you put in a compost bin? You can put any kitchen vegetable scraps, egg shells, grass cuttings, dead bedding plants or flowers, trimmings from shrubs, newspaper or other types of uncoated paper (shredded credit card bills etc), used compost, tea bags, coffee grounds, sawdust and wood shavings, straw bedding from vegetarian pets, wood ash from fires and barbeques and fallen leaves.

The smaller you break up green waste, the quicker it breaks down - if you have a garden chipper this will help, or you can just use a shovel to break it up. It is possible to chop up cuttings etc by putting the on the lawn and running your lawnmower over them but be extremely careful!

What can't I compost? Avoid putting in cooked food of any type or any meat, fish or dairy products - they won't break down and will attract rats! Also avoid any dog or cat mess or disposable nappies (common sense really). I'd also avoid putting weeds into your composter (take them to the tip or burn them instead) and any wood, woody growth or stumps as they take forever to break down and just get in the way!

If you are planning to use this compost on or near potatoes, I would also keep out potato peelings to cut down on the chances of getting the dreaded potato blight!

How long will it take? You can have a useable compost in 3-6 months (sometimes less) but the longer you leave it the better it will be. Check it regularly and try to mix it up - it may have pieces of stick and egg shell visible but once it is dark brown and 'earthy' smelling is ready to use.

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