Separating food waste is the first stage in composting, so why not go the whole way? Instead of emptying your kitchen caddy into an external bin, just empty it into a compost bin instead.
Doing it yourself
When you compost at home you manage the process of decomposition so that waste is breaking down efficiently at source, where it has been produced. It’s the perfect circular economy – right in your own garden or allotment.
You also benefit from the results too, by producing your own free, top-quality compost, teeming with beneficial microbes. Quality compost feeds and protects your soil, which in turn nourishes your flowers, plants, fruit and veg.
Who composts?
Time was when composting conjured up images of weather-beaten blokes in wellies, but there are new kids on the block and social media is full of influencers, both young and young at heart, encouraging everyone to give it a go.
One of our customers took up composting a few years ago in retirement and cheerfully admits she has become ‘obsessed’. She now has two Green Johannas, one HOTBIN, two bokashi bins and a wormery all feeding her lovely cottage-style suburban garden.
What are the basics?
Food waste is rich in nitrogen and needs to be balanced with carbon-rich materials, such as woody garden waste, paper/cardboard, dead leaves. This combination makes composting magic happen. You also need to add air by turning or stirring the mix.
What do I need?
A quick look at our best-selling composters shows there is something for everyone.
Of course, you can go old-school and make your own heap in a corner of the garden, but a compost bin is tidier and easier to manage.
Starting out – the Blackwall 330 litre compost converter accepts raw fruit and veg scraps and garden waste. Voted best Budget Buy in Gardeners’ World.
Hot composting – the Green Johanna is designed to encourage higher temperatures; aeration is required but the results are well worth it. If you don’t want to aerate your compost the HOTBIN is for you, producing fabulous compost in around 90 days.
Bokashi partners – a Bokashi bin ferments food waste, which is then added to a composter to break down. A Bokashi bin makes a great partner for a compost bin, especially a hot composter. It helps to speed up decomposition and boosts temperatures.
Fuss-free – the easiest choice of all is the Green Cone Food Waste Digester, which requires zero maintenance. It doesn’t actually produce compost but a nutrient-rich liquid that feeds surrounding soil.
Easy turning – Maze compost tumblers have a handle and gear to make easy work of turning compost.
Lack of space? Wormeries allow you to compost in a small space and also get the kids interested in helping out. The easiest wormeries are in-ground wormeries that are easily buried in soil or raised beds.
