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Composting


Composting - The Facts

Up to 30% of an average household's waste is organic and can be turned into compost.

Composting is the best way to treat organic waste as not only does it save valuable landfill space by reducing the amount we throw away, but it replaces commercially produced peat products which can damage important wildlife sites.

Adding compost to your soil will nourish the soil by adding nutrients.  It will also improve soil structure and attract earthworms, which in turn improve the health of your soil further.

Whilst compost does not completely replace fertilisers its use is the key to an organic garden.

Compost can be placed on vegetable gardens and flower beds or around trees.  It makes excellent 'mulch' to discourage weeds and keep moisture in the soil.

Sieved compost is ideal for potting, window boxes and hanging baskets.

What can I compost?

Yes

No

Maybe

Fruit and vegetable peelings and left overs

Tea leaves and coffee grounds

Crushed egg shells

Cotton wool

Hedge clippings

Grass cuttings

Leaves, flowers and non-woody prunings

Small animal droppings and litter

Wood ash and shavings,

Paper and soft cardboard (ideally shredded)

Contents of vacuum cleaner bags (woollen carpets only)

Diseased plants or persistent weeds

Coal ash or soot

Dog or cat faeces and litter

Used nappies

Wall paper strippings

Clothes and textiles

Glossy paper

Wood

Glass or plastic

Cans, tins or aerosols, Lawn mowings that have been sprayed with weedkiller

Medical materials

Foil or food trays

Evergreen clippings

Potato/tomato remains

Sawdust

Woodchips

Shredded newspaper

Straw

Bracken

Nettles

These materials will take longer to decompose.Add them only in small quantities for the best results.

Getting Started

  • It is best to make your compost in an enclosure or container although a heap will work if kept covered.

  • Ready made compost bins are available from the Isle of Wight Council at a reduced rate.

  • After siting your composter you should fill it with alternate layers of wet (e.g. kitchen scraps) and dry (e.g. vacuum cleaner dust) waste.

  • If available add some finished compost, garden soil or a compost starter (available from most garden centres) to the pile. This will help to speed up the start of the composting process.

  • Adding a supply of branchling worms will also help. These are available from angling suppliers or can be collected from your garden.