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Starting a compost at home is easy |
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BY INVESTING a little effort in composting, there is no need to spend money on commercial fertilisers for your plants. Compost is a much better option as it improves soil fertility, texture and structure. According to some gardeners, plants grow faster and bigger too. When composting is done correctly, you will still be able to confidently invite guests to your house. If there is an unbearable stench coming from the compost heap, it probably means that you have done something wrong! |
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STEP 1: The Compost Container There are special compost containers available commercially. However, you can make do with a plastic dustbin that has a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to make small holes at the bottom, sides and lid. This is to allow oxygen to enter. Keep the container off the floor by placing it atop bricks or wooden blocks. Place a tray underneath to collect any liquid that flows out. By emptying and cleaning the tray, odours would be greatly reduced. |
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STEP 2: Ingredients • Cardboard - wet and shred into smaller pieces • Coffee grounds and coffee filters • Corn cobs • Egg shells - crush them first • Hair • Manure (horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, chicken, rabbit) • Newspapers - avoid coloured pages • Vegetable scraps
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STEP 3: Things to avoid • Cat droppings or cat litter • Dog droppings • Fish scraps • Meat, fat, grease, oils and bones • Lime - retards enzyme action
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STEP 4: Process First, add a layer of garden soil. Put in garden waste next then add the rest. The pile should be kept moist and the optimum temperature range is 40?C to 55?C. Make sure that the mixture is turned often to allow the aerobic bacteria to work. Create air pockets by adding in small crushed pieces of cardboard. Experiment with different types of materials and changing the proportions of “greens” and “browns”. A general guide is 25 parts browns to one part greens. Excessive carbon will slow down the decomposition process while excessive nitrogen will result in bad smells. Monitor the progress and adjust the amount based roughly on weight.
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STEP 5: Watch out for pests Shredding or grinding of materials can discourage flies from breeding. The smaller the particle size, the easier it is for bacteria to break down the materials. Also, cover the piles with dry substances such as old grass clippings that have high carbon content. Larvae die at high temperatures so turn the piles often and keep the containers covered.
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AND FINALLY: The result
The whole process may take several months. However, there is no definite time period for producing “perfect” compost. The finished product should be dark-brown to black in colour, have a pleasant earthy smell and its texture should be crumbly. |
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We wish to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of this article by Singapore Environment Council. |
