Classic composting

The traditional advice for constructing a classic compost heap is quite simple. First, collect together a mixture of soft, nitrogenrich waste and tougher, carbon-rich material. Shred any tree and shrub prunings.

Second, start filling your compost bin with layers of different materials, adding a spadeful of compost or soil now and then – the right micro-organisms will colonize your heap eventually anyway, but there’s no harm in giving them a helping hand. Carry on until your heap measures at least one cubic metre (1 cu.yd), or more if possible. If the heap seems dry, water it. Cover it with the bin lid or a piece of old carpet.

Your heap should soon start to get hot. When it starts to cool, turn it and it will heat up again. When it starts to cool again, turn it for a third time, and leave until done. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s this stately home approach that caused generations of gardeners to abandon the whole idea of making compost. In fact, this

apparently simple advice is

riddled with weasel words

that gloss over real difficulties.

“Turn your heap when it starts to cool down.”

Modern gardeners are busy people, with their compost heap somewhere near the bottom of their list of priorities. Turning a large compost heap is hard work, and doing it twice sounds like adding insult to injury. There’s also the anxiety of whether you’ve got the timing right. Is it cooling down yet? Have I left it too long?

“Collect together at least a cubic metre of waste.”

Pardon?

How often does the owner of a modern, small garden have a cubic metre (cu. yd) of waste at one time? Pause at this point and try to visualize a cubic metre of garden waste (go and get a tape measure if necessary).

“Well then,” goes the advice, “gather the materials over a

period of time.”

OK, but where do you store this stuff while you are waiting to collect enough? An even more interesting question is how you stop the green waste from starting to compost before it goes on the compost heap. Keep it in the fridge maybe?

Something else the books never mention. As described, composting is clearly a batch process, like putting a load in the washing machine. A full load of compost material is assembled and, after a time, finished compost results.