CompostingArea Composting Articles, tips & answers

Home Composting

The act of “composting” is common among many households, with many choosing to store once-living material in a bin, or simply in a heap, for the purpose of later using the resulting product to further plant growth and / or improve soil conditions.

Some companies sell special “compost bins”, although many will more quickly notice that it is an excellent way to reduce their amounts of household refuse, by up to a quarter, according to some sources. Meanwhile, gardeners and gardening associations everywhere observe that a lot of generated waste plant material is a sign of good garden management.

It may come as no surprise that local councils encourage the act of home composting – as indicated by the existence of green waste collection schemes. However, council policies on organic waste vary considerably over the country. There are those who will simply give it back to the community, while others will sell it or use it in landscaping schemes.

In practice, the composting process requires air to take place. Where the heap is too wet or compacted, less oxygen can set and perform its expected function, giving rise to the act of anaerobic composition, which is slower and less efficient than aerobic composition, the most common form.

In response this, it is accepted as a common practice to “turn the compost” with the use of a rake. It can take between six months and two years for a compost heap to dissolve into the usable product wanted.