The system (aerobic compostors)

Why we should compost Making your own compost from garden and household organic waste is one of the most environmentally beneficial activities, making compost will help you reduce pollution, cut down on landfill and save money. Organic waste makes up approximately 30% of all waste, it's removal from the rubbish bin allows other materials to be recycled, making composting the starting point of any good household waste management system. Finished compost is nutritious enough to use as a soil amendment, buffering the pH and helping to retain water in the soil, it can cool the soil's surface, and help mitigate erosion. Why buy topsoil when you can create your own endless supply?

Compost four weeks old	300 litre single bin	Completed compost three months old

How to make compost Many people are put off from making compost, because they believe it to be dirty and smelly or too scientific, these beliefs are incorrect as composting is a natural process. Composting is caused by countless natural microbes, fungi and other small creatures that appear as soon as a pile is started. We cannot stop organic material from rotting down, however we can assist the process by feeding the natural microbes a balanced diet. The trick is to get your pile decomposing as fast as you can fill it. Cold heap Organic material is collected and added to the pile bit-by-bit, the pile remains cold and will decompose slowly. Hot heap Organic material is collected in sufficient quantities and types to fill the bin with an ideal mix. This will heat up quickly and accelerate the composting process for 1-2 weeks. To maintain this level of hot aerobic activity the pile will require aerating by turning every 2 weeks and should produce finished compost in 12 weeks. The three bin system For households with large amounts of organic waste, it enables the progressive turning of the pile from one bin to another while a new pile is started, this then joins the turning routine. Suggestions Add a small shovel full of soil to inoculate your new pile with some micro-organisms. Never add too much of any one material.

Factors affecting the rate of decomposition Oxygenation Oxygen is required for respiration by all aerobic inhabitants within the pile. Adequate ventilation and manual turning will help keep the anaerobic micro-organisms alive. Temperature The optimum temperature for fast decomposition is between 90 and 135 degrees F. Whether it is due to cold climate or insufficient bacterial activity, when the temperature falls below this, decomposition will slow, but not cease. To keep temperatures elevated, try locating the pile for maximizing radiant solar heat, choosing black coloured bins in cooler climate zones. Water Content An efficient compostor needs to have a moisture content around 50% (feels like a wet sponge). If the pile is too dry, decomposition will slow down considerably, while overly wet piles can smell. Keep pile covered during heavy rains, and add rainwater when dry spells occur (chlorine in municipal water can kill the organisms in your living system). Surface Area Maximize this by shredding and chipping all clippings and waste into small pieces. The more area you expose to micro-organisms, the larger the dinner table, and the faster the decomposition. Carbon Nitrogen Ratio  Organic materials rich in nitrogen are referred to as Greens (fresh veggie scraps or grass clippings), while the others can be lumped together as Browns (hay, twigs, dried leaves). A good general rule of thumb is use 2-3 parts brown to 1 part green. Always remember to add the organic materials in layers.

Which organic material to compost (Browns) Can be considered as the bulk or body of the pile, but need the greens to help decompose. Natural fabrics Natural fibre will add bulk to your pile. Do not add synthetic fabrics. Fruit and peel Chopped they are a good additive. Wood Add as shavings or sawdust, shred old wood like fencing. Only use untreated wood without preservatives. Eggshells These do not compost quickly, but can be add crushed. Paper An excellent addition to the pile it needs to be torn up or shredded and wetted, large amounts are best recycled. Cardboard The egg carton, toilet roll type of low grade cardboard can be wetted and composed, large amounts are best recycled. Coffee grounds From filters, percolators and cafetieres are another good addition to the compost pile Tealeaves and tea bags Are a good addition to the compost pile. Autumn leaves Small quantities of leaves can be used, being tough they breakdown when mixed with an activator. Large amounts should be made into leaf mulch. Animal manures Small pet manures, like hamster, guinea pigs and rabbits contain small amounts of droppings, you can use as a straw addition to the compost heap. The animals love eating weeds which converts them quickly into prime compost material. (Greens) These are the activators rich in nitrogen that heat up the pile, but need the browns to add bulk. Weeds Some perennial weeds will be killed in a hot heap, avoid really persistent horrors such as celandine, bulbous buttercup, ground elder and bindweed, weed seeds may survive a cool heap, but should be killed in a hot one. Grass mowings Heat up the pile quickly but must be introduced well mixed with browns to avoid becoming an anaerobic smelly mess. Hedge cuttings Soft young cuttings can be added, woodier stems need shredding and adding with other activators like grass mowings. Flowers and vegetable residues Compost well, tough items are better chop or shredded. Kitchen scraps Make good ingredients for the pile. Exclude fats, fish and meats as these attract rodents.

What not to compost Though all organic matter can be broken down naturally, some materials are just not suitable for the home composting. First and foremost, no human or pet (cat and dog) excrement should be added to the bins, faeces can harbour harmful bacteria, and there is no guarantee that the temperature of your pile will successfully kill them. Secondly, stay away from greasy foods, dairy products, meat, fish and bones, not only do they decompose slowly, a rotting aroma can attract rodents. Natural chemicals in citrus peels, eucalyptus leaves, and pine needles can actually slow down your compost pile. Coal ashes, synthetic fabrics and treated wood should be left out. Non-organics such as, plastics, glass, steel and aluminium should be recycled, along with glossy magazines, large amounts of paper and cardboard.

When do I harvest my compost? Compost can be made in eight to twelve weeks or it can take up to a year or more, as a rule the more effort you put in, the quicker you will get compost out. When the ingredients in your bin have turned into a dark brown earthy smelling material, the composting process is complete. It is then best left for a month to mature before it is used. Don't worry if your compost is not fine and crumbly, even lumpy sticky and stringy compost, with bits of twig and eggshell still obvious, is quite usable. Garden hygiene rules should be followed, keeping cuts covered and washing hands before eating. Now it can be used to feed and condition your soil, used as a mulch or for making potting mixes.

Am I doing something wrong? Sometimes a compost pile's performance is less than expected, don't worry even the experts have problems. First add air by turning the pile, this will help the aerobic microbes to live and restart the composting process. Now check moisture levels, too much water will cause anaerobic (without oxygen) decay, too little will slow down decomposition drastically. Make sure your bin is kept warm, in cold weather climates may be an insulating jacket is required. Consider if the mix of green and brown organic material is correct, normally the addition of more activating green material is need. In short a well-drained, moist, aerated pile consisting of a good mix, should always thrive.

The zero-2-land compost bins

The 300Litre single black bin Manufactured from blow moulded recycled HDPE to stringent European standards this bin is both simple and effective. Its smooth black walls maximize radiant solar heat and its lightweight construction enables the bin to be easily lifted off the pile when turning. Lid and door access is more restricted than other bins but zero-2-land highly recommends this bin for a three bin system, as their should always be an empty bin to turn the pile into. Use of the compost aerator between turnings will keep the pile active and the compost fork is a good aid for mixing in additions to the pile. Stand this bin on well raked soil with some added stones or broken bricks and gravel to help drainage.

The 300Litre single Milko bin This bin has many features that aids its use as a single slow filled bin, if you would prefer not to manage your pile and just have some where to store your garden and kitchen organic waste while it slowly composts, this is the bin for you. zero-2-land  likes its ingenious base, which may inhibit turning but keeps the compost off  the ground. The base is perforated to allow worms and microbes in, airflow is increased to the lower section by ventilation slots leading to an ingenious centre up flow cone. Its hinged lid is large, as is the lower door, and has more ventilation openings. The Milko is one of the best low maintenance composting bins around.

The 420Litre single Module bin The superbly manufactured and designed module bin is formed from 100% recycled PE panels, each panel can be used for access as can any complete side, this gives phenomenal space for removal or turning of compost. The panels are finished in an attractive marbled green to blend with the subtle tones of your garden and their moduler construction enables the unit to be transported flat packed. A high thermal retention and cleverly protected aeration slots gives remarkable composting characteristics and should reduce the composting time immensely. zero-2-land recommends that if you are serious about composting and intend to manage your pile with frequent turning, then this is the finest bin on the market today.

Prices and Shopping at zero-2-land

. Home Page . Can-o-Worms . Wheelie bins & Accessories . Aerobic Compostors . . How to use the system . Useful Links . The Shop . Guestbook .

Contact; Stephen J Coleman . zero-2-land . 01452-307778 . steve@zero-2-land.com 55 Victoria Street, Gloucester, GL1 4EP.