{"id":2357,"date":"2019-08-19T11:50:32","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T10:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/?p=2357"},"modified":"2025-07-29T13:08:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:08:05","slug":"how-to-make-compost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/how-to-make-compost\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make Your Own Compost"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever wanted to help save the planet in a small way?\u00a0 It is tough to do with so little control over carbon emissions, and you are only one person when it comes to plastic.\u00a0 However, a compost heap could add another string to your environmentalist bow.\u00a0 All our small actions can accumulate to make a big difference, so understanding how to use your food waste effectively and prevent more rubbish hitting landfill is one more opportunity.<\/p>\n

The great thing about composting is that you produce the equivalent of black gold for your flower beds.\u00a0 The nutrients from your compost will help your garden bloom.\u00a0 Just imagine the increased pleasure from sitting on your backless garden bench<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Is Composting?<\/h2>\n

Composting, in simple terms, is taking any organic waste that will rot naturally and mixing it with soil in a bin to create nutrients for your garden.<\/p>\n

There are some common misconceptions about composting.\u00a0 Some people think it is complicated, like some elaborate science experiment.\u00a0 Others might tell you it is too smelly and too messy to be worth their while. If you are getting composting wrong, all these things can be true. If you follow the right approach, there is nothing simpler.\u00a0 You are essentially layering organic materials with soil to create humus, which is the perfect soil builder for your flowers or your vegetables.<\/p>\n

What Are The Different Types Of Composting?<\/h2>\n

There are different types of composting, which are suitable for different abilities and levels of keenness to purchase composting equipment.<\/p>\n

Cold Composting<\/strong>: this is where you collect garden and food waste, such as old fruit, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, etc. and pile these into a bin or an area of your garden.\u00a0 Over the year, this material will decompose, and you will be left with material that can be dug into your garden.<\/p>\n

Fast-Cooking Hot Compost<\/strong>: this is a process for the more serious of gardeners amongst us.\u00a0 The aim is to get your compost within one to three months. You will need some ingredients to help this hot composting process, including nitrogen, carbon \u2013 as well as the more accessible air and water.\u00a0 You are basically nourishing the micro-organism that breaks down the decay, therefore speeding up the process.\u00a0 Gardeners tend to use this process when they want one batch of compost bagged and ready for use, while another is cooking.\u00a0 This is important if you are using greenhouses and polytunnels for all year round growing.<\/p>\n

Worm Composting<\/strong>: you can create vermicompost using worms.\u00a0 The worms eat the food scraps and then process this in the way that creatures do.\u00a0 The castings are rich in nitrogen.\u00a0 Not any old worm will do, however.\u00a0 You will need redworms, also known as red wigglers, which can be purchased at garden centres or from the internet.<\/p>\n

What Should You Compost?<\/h2>\n

A lot of the materials from your fridge that may typically end up in the bin can be used in your compost.\u00a0 You can send all the following straight to your compost pile:<\/p>\n