Home Composting
A large proportion of rubbish produced in the home comes from the kitchen and garden. Much of this material is organic, i.e. it can be decomposed naturally and can be turned into useful garden compost. In most households, compostable waste forms about 25-40% of all the waste stream, so eliminating this from landfill is an important goal of Kilkenny County Council's plan to minimise waste.
Reasons to compost
Home composting is one of the ways you can help the environment. Composting the organic portion of your rubbish means there is less to be collected and disposed of in landfill sites. There is also a reduction of toxic methane fumes and leachate from the landfill that arise as the organic waste decomposes. By using natural compost in the garden as a soil improver you are helping to preserve our peatlands as it reduces the need for peat-based garden products. These nutrients are lost forever if the organic material is not composted.
How to compost
There are different ways to compost your waste. All you need is a compost bin that will keep the material warm, moist and oxygenated (aerated). Choose a well-drained spot in the garden, out of the worst wind and rain. Start the process off by loosening the soil under the composter and adding a little sand. This allows the bacteria and worms to enter the bin from below. A few inches of manure, comfrey or kitchen waste on top of this loose earth will help to attract these organisms. Simply add your organic kitchen and garden waste in layers to the compost bin and in 3-6 months the compost should be brown, crumbly and ready to use. It can be dug into the soil in early Spring or late Autumn. A lidded container in the kitchen for collecting scraps (e.g. a kitchen caddie or large ice-cream container) is very useful. For best results use a good mixture of different materials in layers, and don't layer any one material (e.g. grass clippings) too thickly in the pile. Turning the heap occasionally helps mixing and aeration.
FAQ
Q: How will I know if my composter is not working properly?
A: If your compost is too wet or too dry it won't break down properly. Too wet and anaerobic conditions arise which create smells. If it is too dry it will simply take longer to break down and odours may also result. If the composter is filling up quickly it may be that you are producing a large volume of organic waste and you could consider purchasing a second bin, or adding brandling worms to speed up the process. If your compost seems very wet mix it frequently with a fork to help dry it out. If it seems very dry, wet thoroughly all newspapers/ papers/ cardboard before adding them to the composter.
Q: How often should I turn the compost - or is this necessary?
A: it is usually advisable to turn the compost (i.e. mix it with a garden fork or hand tool) every 4-8 weeks to ensure that the compost is getting plenty of air.
Q: Does composting attract rats and flies?
A: If you avoid adding cooked food you shouldn't experience any problems with rats. One way to deter them is to dig some chicken wire into the soil under the composter. Always ensure that freshly added waste is covered (with wet newspaper or cardboard) and this will help prevent flies. Plant lavender near thecompost bin, rodents do not like the plants odour. Even if you find some fruit flies this is normal - if they bother you why not spray them with water and with a few drops of citronella essential oil (a natural insect repellent) from a spray bottle.
Q: How do I harvest my compost?
A: When your bin is full you may need to leave it to settle and mature for a couple of months. Check to see how it is getting along by removing the hatch at the side. The compost should be brown and crumbly but should be slightly sticky if it is squashed together. It should smell sweet, and while some organic materials may be recognisable (e.g. egg shell bits or tea bags), in the main it should look like "earth". If it seems ready remove the top layers of your composter gradually as they may need to be left a little longer. Dig out the compost that is ready and it can be used straight away as a soil conditioner.
Q: What if I have no garden - can I still compost my kitchen waste?
A: Another option if you do not have a garden is to set up a wormery. Manure or brandling worms break food waste down very quickly and because they work in a sealed containers, this type of composting is particularly suitable for people who have very small gardens, or even apartments. You can set up a wormery all by yourself by following the instructions on the website of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council www.ipcc.ie or by contacting them for their free information sheet (tel.045-860133). Worms can be mail ordered or got from your local fishing bait shop. There is a local supplier in Castlecomer, for more information ring Laura Collins on 087-6399086. Different types of worm bin containers are available for purchase from garden/ horticultural suppliers.
Q: I have a lot of garden waste in the summer, especially grass clippings. Can these be placed in the composter?
A: It is always advisable to put grass clippings in small handfuls, in thin layers, in composters. Grass clippings are notoriously difficult to compost as in large quantities they easily produce anaerobic conditions and turn into a smelly sludge. Grass cuttings can be used to mulch both the lawn and flower or vegetable beds. Contrary to popular belief, you may leave grass cuttings on the lawn itself. They will soon be consumed by the lawn itself - feeding the nutrients back to the soil, helping to aerate the ground through the action of worms and preventing it from drying out in warm or very windy weather. For best results the grass should be cut regularly and never cut it less than an inch high. Recent research has shown that leaving grass on the lawn does not increase weeds or diseases. However it is best to remove the first and last cuttings every year because in colder weather or when the grass is very long it takes too long to decompose.*
How to get a composter.
Many garden centres supply composting units. Kilkenny County Council sell composters are sold at reduced rates, €30/ €15(OAP rate).
Composts Bins for Sale Available from:
The Environment Section, County Hall, John St
Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Centre
Callan Area Office
Castlecomer Library
Graignamanagh Library
Newrath Area Office
Price: €30 or €15 (o.a.p.)
Limit of 1 per person
Useful Links
Irish Peatland Conservation Council: an Irish environmental organisation concerned with the protection of peatlands. They have excellent booklets on worm composting, community composting and wildlife gardening. Their website contains many FAQs regarding composting generally.
www.ipcc.ie
