Composting is a huge trend in the gardening community. Although the thought of composting may seem cumbersome, there are a tonne of fantastic benefits of making your own compost.
Monty Don has shared his pearls of wisdom regarding the best way to compost, and if Monty is doing it, then it’s safe to say we should probably be doing it too!
What are the benefits?
Composting at home has a heap of benefits including:
- It helps cut CO2 emissions that are harmful to the environment.
- It encourages natural wildlife such as small insects which then help to feed birds and hedgehogs.
- By making your own, you get to save money by not buying the expensive brands!
- Turning your compost heap once monthly provides excellent exercise for you no matter what age or ability you are.
No matter the size of your home and garden there is an easy way for you to start. Head over to Recycle Now for specific tips on the space you have available.
How does it help the environment?
Rubbish ordinarily sent to a landfill omits harmful greenhouse gases because there is a lack of air getting to the waste. This in turn creates methane which can damage the Earth’s atmosphere. However, if you compost at home the oxygen will help the waste decompose aerobically which significantly reduces the methane produced, which is great news for the environment.
By composting at home you also save the petrol used to transport compost rubbish sent to landfill each week!
How is the compost produced better?
The compost you can produce at home will help improve your soil structure and also help fight plant disease. Home produced compost contains ingredients your plant love such as: potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus which will make your plants look glorious all year round.
Won’t having it attract pests?
A well looked after compost bin should not attract any pests such as rats and flies unless it has not been properly secured. One way to help prevent these unwelcome guests is to make sure the moisture levels do not get too high, and you could also keep chicken wire at the base of the bin which can help obstruct an entrance for small mammals.
A compost bin will however host smaller creatures such as slugs and worms – but do not panic! These creatures will help decompose the waste in your compost bin, and they should love their home so much that they do not feel tempted to stray to other areas in your garden.
Won’t having a compost heap promote weeds?
There is a fear that homemade compost will introduce weeds into your garden. This will only happen if your bin does not produce enough heat to kill the weed seeds, so be sure to monitor the temperature of your compost heap with a thermometer – don’t let it drop below 43 degrees Celsius.
What time of year should I begin?
You can compost all year round!
Have we convinced you yet? Head over to our specialist range of compost bins to find the perfect one for you and your garden, and keep your eyes peeled for our next blog on How To Create The Perfect Compost!
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Zoë worked in the Marketing team at Primrose, and is passionate about all things social media.
After travelling across Europe and Asia, Zoë is intrigued by different cultures and learning more about the world around her. If she’s not jet setting, Zoë loves nothing more than curling up with a good book and a large glass of red wine!
She is an amateur gardener but keen to learn more and get stuck in!