Turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, free compost — the foundation of every healthy organic garden.

Composting is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do in your garden. It improves soil, boosts plant health, reduces waste, and saves money. This page gives you everything you need to get started, even if you’ve never composted before.

What Is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials — such as food scraps, leaves, grass cuttings, and cardboard — into dark, crumbly, nutrient‑rich compost.

This compost improves soil structure, feeds plants, and helps your garden hold moisture naturally.

Why Composting Matters in Organic Gardening

• Improves soil health without chemicals
• Reduces household waste
• Helps plants grow stronger and more resilient
• Saves money on shop‑bought compost
• Supports wildlife by creating a living, healthy soil ecosystem

How to Start Composting (Beginner‑Friendly Steps)

1. Choose Your Compost Bin

You can compost in:

• A plastic compost bin
• A wooden slatted bin
• A homemade pallet bin
• A simple heap (if you have space)

Place your bin on bare soil, not paving — this helps worms and microbes enter.

2. Add the Right Materials

Composting works best with a mix of greens and browns.

Greens (nitrogen‑rich)

• Fruit & veg scraps
• Grass cuttings
• Coffee grounds
• Tea bags (plastic‑free)
• Fresh plant trimmings

Browns (carbon‑rich)

• Cardboard
• Paper
• Dry leaves
• Straw
• Wood chips
• Egg boxes
• Aim for roughly 50% greens and 50% browns.

Keep It Moist (But Not Wet)

Your compost should feel like a wrung‑out sponge. If it’s too dry → add greens. If it’s too wet → add browns.

Turn the Compost Occasionally

Turning adds oxygen and speeds up decomposition. Once every 2–4 weeks is enough.

When Is Compost Ready?

Finished compost is:

• Dark brown
• Crumbly
• Earthy‑smelling
• No recognisable food scraps

This usually takes 3–12 months, depending on temperature and materials.

What You Can and Can’t Compost

✔ Safe to Compost

• Fruit & veg scraps
• Coffee grounds
• Tea bags (plastic‑free)
• Grass cuttings
• Leaves
• Cardboard
• Paper
• Eggshells
• Plant trimmings

✘ Do NOT Compost

• Meat, fish, dairy
• Cooked food
• Oils or fats
• Diseased plants
• Pet waste
• Glossy magazines
• Coal ash

As you can see from the image above if you accidentally add non compostable material such as meat bones you will have to remove them by hand yourself

Tools That Make Composting Easier

• Compost aerator
• Garden fork
• Watering can
• Compost caddy
• Mesh or fleece (to keep pests out)

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Smelly compost?

Too many greens → add cardboard or dry leaves.

Dry and not breaking down?

Add water and more greens.

Lots of flies?

Cover food scraps with browns.

Rats?

Use a closed bin and avoid cooked food.

How to Use Your Finished Compost

• Mix into beds before planting
• Add to pots and containers
• Use as mulch around vegetables
• Improve soil in raised beds
• Feed fruit bushes and trees