As keen composters we love to hear about our customers’ experiences.
Helen, who lives in Leicestershire with her husband and Goldendoodle, absolutely loves her garden (as you can tell from her photos) and has become ‘obsessed’ with composting as a way of feeding her garden and managing her own organic waste.
Her garden is a cottage garden style, so it includes shrubs, roses, perennials and herbs. She also has pots, hanging baskets and has grown potatoes and vegetables in bags and containers.
We asked her a few questions about how and why she composts.
How did you first get into composting?
I first started composting about three years ago and the initial reason was the increasing price and quality of shop-bought, peat-free compost from garden centres. After some research I decided to purchase a Green Johanna as I wanted a compost bin that was robust and potentially rodent proof and would suit my suburban garden. Also, a bin that would produce compost quicker than a traditional wooden/dalek compost bin.
What do you enjoy about it?
I still get such a buzz when I watch waste products that would have gone into the landfill/council green bin produce such high-quality compost which is perfect for my gardening needs; it gives me such satisfaction. Increasing the number of bins and amount of waste material I use only makes it more enjoyable and I feel that I am helping with sustainability in the best way I can, as I absolutely love my garden.
What compost bins do you have?
Since having my first Green Johanna I have expanded my collection to an additional Green Johanna, a 200 litre HOTBIN, an old wheelie bin which I have converted into an overspill bin, two bokashi bins and a wormery. Also, I have a couple of large plastic compost bags that I use for all autumn leaves.
How do you use your compost?
I use my compost to fill my pots and troughs for annuals, perennials and vegetable growing. I use it as a two thirds bottom base and buy good quality shop-bought compost for the top third. This is not only cost effective but also the homemade compost gives the necessary nutrients that are required. Secondly, I use my compost as a mulch around the garden. This is done once a year currently and is extremely beneficial to improve the quality of my loamy soil.
Do you feel you have learnt any lessons on your composting journey?
Initially I only put garden waste such as grass clippings, spent flowers etc and kitchen vegetable and fruit waste, eggshells, used coffee grounds and tea bags in my compost bin, but reading up on all the different items you can use I soon expanded the materials I used as follows:
- Guinea pig and rabbit waste from a close neighbour who bags this up weekly for me
- Used coffee grounds from a local coffee shop where I collect once a week on a regular basis plus a garden centre that offers used coffee grounds to the public
- Cardboard from deliveries and supermarkets
- Autumn leaves from quiet suburban areas (not woods)
- Wood ash from a family member who has a woodburner
- Pet hair from our Goldendoodle when brushed
If you could give beginners one tip what would it be?
Homemade compost is not the same texture and will not look as perfect as the shop bought compost. I do not bother to sieve my compost but just use it once it is at the right stage to use for the purpose of mulching and putting in pots/troughs/vegetable containers as a base. The beauty of homemade compost is that you know 100% what is in the mix unlike cheaper shop-bought composts which may be manufactured from green bin waste.