Composting Made Simple

Mixed Materials:

• Greens: e.g. fruit and vegetable waste (uncooked), tea leaves, tea bags, coffee grounds, grass cuttings.
• Browns: e.g. egg shells, tree and hedge cuttings, leaves, cardboard, straw, pet hairs, sawdust.
• N.B. - do not use meat, dairy products, cooking oil, insecticide, disinfectant.

Moisture:

• It is important to use a good mixture of ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ to maintain a constant moisture level and to keep the process active at a steady pace.
• High moisture levels can cause your compost to become slimy, often caused by adding too many ‘greens’.
• The compost can dry out if there are too many ‘browns’ in the mixture.

Air:

• The base of the unit is ventilated to allow air flow through the compost.
• The organisms need a supply of oxygen to survive, so it is important to introduce air into the bin by turning the contents with a fork or make holes in the compost with a broom handle or stick.

Setting Up Your Carbery Compost Bin

Set up your Carbery Compost Bin in your garden on bare soil or grass where it can be easily accessed and preferably in a sunny position so that the temperature will help with the composting process.
In colder months cover the Compost Bin with an old carpet or similar to retain heat and moisture.

• Your kitchen waste can be conveniently gathered in the Kitchen Kaddie and emptied every few days.
  

• Capacity: 10 litres
• Length: 20cm
• Width: 15cm
• Height: 30cm
  

• Materials that are chopped, shredded or torn up into small pieces will compost more quickly.
• It is important to mix or layer the organic waste you place in your Compost Bin.
  Mix the material together before adding and take care to keep as much air in the mix as possible.
• Alternatively, layering with alternating layers of ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ will keep your bin functioning correctly.
  

Maintaining

• Regularly turn the contents using a garden fork or make holes in the compost with a broom handle or stick to ensure there is sufficient air at all times.
• Consider the need to add some water also to maintain a good level of moisture in the mix.

Using Your Compost

It can take between 6 and 12 months to convert waste into compost. The timeframe is dependent on the Mixture, Moisture, Air and the care you take in maintaining the process.

The compost is ready to use when the material at the bottom of the bin has darkened and the original ingredients are no longer recognisable.

The end product may be somewhat coarser than shop bought product but your own home-made compost will do the same job for free!

Your compost can be used as follows:

• Mulch: spread on top of flower beds and around plants. It will improve the general soil structure by adding organic matter to the soil slowly an promote healthy root structures.
• Potting Mix: use 2 parts compost, 2 parts soil and 1 part sand to make your own potting compost.
• Improve Soil Structure: dig the compost into the soil to improve the general soil structure in areas to be seeded or planted. This can be done at any time of the year.
  

Useful Links:

• Composting Association of Ireland