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How to Make Your Own Compost

Are you looking to start your own composting project? Well, worry not because we've got just what you need to get started, including the veggies!

Composting isn't just an efficient way to reduce food waste; the end product provides a major eco-friendly bonus being nutrient-rich and perfect for boosting soil fertility in your garden. 

First thing’s first, you’ll need something to collect and stock the raw materials. A large kitchen bin will be perfect.

As for the materials, this will mostly be kitchen waste including leftovers. Some of the best options include:

  • Fruit and veg peelings
  • Coffee granules
  • Eggshells
  • Compostable coffee pods
  • Compostable tea bags
  • Meat and dairy products can be used, but will attract flies, so be careful where you place your bin!

Other materials that work well include:

  • Small-scale garden waste like weeds, cuttings and dead plants
  • Small quantities of shredded natural paper (not glossy magazine pages)
  • Don't forget the packaging! We have a whole range of goods packaged in compostable wrapping and boxes, including the luxurious baked goods from The Artisan Bakery.

Once you've got all your materials sorted, it's always best to chop them up into small pieces before tossing them into the compost bin. This will increase the surface area exposed to the air and will speed up the decaying process.

Successful composting is most quickly achieved through a balanced blend of nutrients as well as a high moisture content. High temperatures during the initial stages of composting will also help speed things up. Remember to regularly turn the contents of the bin so the materials are properly aerated. If you're not too squeamish, a great way to get things moving is to introduce a wormery!

After about three months of chopping, churning and waiting, your old leftovers should start to look a lot like a lumpy version of the compost you'd usually buy in a shop. When you get to this stage, the last step is to simply mix the final product together and remove any large pieces that haven’t decayed. After this, your homemade compost is all ready for your garden to reap the benefits!