Composting methods fall into three main catagories
Compost Heaps. Compost Tumblers and Compost Bins. The big question is which is the best and which is the fastest?
The best way to make compost is to ensure that you are putting carbon, nitrogen water and air into the compost. Many gardeners often forget the air and the water, or put in to much water
Carbon comes from Autumn leaves, woody prunnings (but not to thick) and hedge clippings.
Nitrogen comes from lawn clippings, green pruning, and vegetable scraps (uncooked).
It is the mixture of these two that helps make good compost. The woody or twiggy material helps promote airflow and speed up decomposition.
However, we get Autumn leaves in Autumn when we dont have lawn clippings, and we get lawn clippings when we dont have Autumn leaves. So we need to supplement with newspaper or cardboard in summer. And green prunings in winter.
How long will it take to make compost ?
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In a traditional compost heap, 9 months if you turn it 2 -3 times.
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In a compost bin, about the same if you turn it 2-3 times
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In an 'Aerobic' static compost bin
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In compost tumbler, claims are 1-3 months, however we have yet to fully test this out. We have to much compost for a tumbler, or indeed a bin.
We currently use the following composting techniques:
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A worm farm for most kitchen vegetable scraps. We find this effective, non smelly and a great source or fertilizer for the garden with both vermicaste and liquid worm waste.
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A traditional compost 'heap' for autumn leaves and other garden waste such as lawn clippings, and other suitable materials. Its slow, requires turning, but works. It does attract a few mice.
We are Currently trialling the following composting techniques:
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An Aerobic compost Bin for autumn leaves, general garden waste, lawn clippings and excess kitchen scraps. (we feed the worm farm first)
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A Compost Tumbler for lawn clippings
