Composting

Nature recycles leaves and plants. For example, in a forest leaves fall to form mulch that protects the soil. Over time, the mulch decomposes into nutrients that feed forest plants.

You can help nature by composting. It’s fun and it’s easy.

The easiest way is to recycle leaves and other plant materials at home by setting up a compost bin.

There are four principles of compost known as ADAM. They are:

• Aliveness – a healthy compost is alive;
  

• Diversity – feeding your compost a diverse mixture of products is the way to go;
  
• Aeration – if air can move freely through the compost it will prevent bad smells and flies. All you need to do is turn over your compost. As they say, one good turn deserves another; and
  
• Moisture – successful compost needs moisture.
  

Anything that was once part of a plant or animal can be used in compost. But there are a few exceptions. Do not use cat, dog or human faeces or meat.

Set up your compost bin in an area that is out of the way, but convenient to reach and with plenty of room to work around.

The micro-organisms that recycle leaves and other plant parts need an even mix of dead and dried plant parts, like leaves and pine needles, and fresh, living parts like grass clippings, kitchen vegetable scraps, weeds and other plants. The dead or dry plant material is high in carbon and the fresh material is rich in nitrogen.

Micro-organisms also need air and water to live and work. Put all this together and, in time, you will have compost!

It is helpful to mix the layers up a little as you make them and sprinkle a shovel load or small bucket of soil or compost to add microorganisms to the bin.

Each layer should receive a good sprinkling of water to wet the ingredients. It is important to wet each layer as you build it. Repeat each of the layers until the bin is full and then you have compost that your garden and your plants will love.

Composting is Nature's very own recycling program.

For further information, read The Australian Compost and Worm Book written by Peter W. Rutherford and Mary Lou Lamonda. This book is published by Apollo Books, P.O. Box 87, Mosman NSW. 2088.

For more information on composting you can try:

• your local library;
• KESAB and enquire about their Earthworks courses; or
• access the video The Complete Guide to Composting distributed by Environmental Media Resources, 29 Albert Road, Whale Beach NSW 2101