Compost is a key component to any happy garden. Rich in the essential nutrients needed to encourage plant growth and help flowers bloom, it’s a must-have.
If you’re an avid gardener or are looking to live more sustainably, a fantastic way to join us on our eco-conscious mission is to make your own compost. Discover everything you need to know about the role compost plays in your outdoor space as we teach you how to compost.
What is compost?
Compost is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that’s widely used in gardens to improve soil quality. It’s commonly made up of organic materials that decompose to produce well-balanced, nutritious compost that will help the plants in your garden grow strong and healthy.
Traditional compost comprises primarily of peat, sourced from lowland raised bogs. However, over time, resource is becoming more and more scarce.
To help preserve these bogs, peat-free compost and reduced-peat alternatives are now more common. Making your own compost is also a sustainable, peat-free option.
Top tip: Learn more about the 5 best peat-free composts and our sustainability mission here.
How to make compost
Whether you’re aiming to live more sustainably, or need an affordable way to give your garden soil some TLC, follow our step-by-step guide on how to make compost at home.
Now, let’s get started with what you’ll need…
Materials:
Your homemade compost can be made up of a combination of the following:
- Fruit and veg scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Grass and plant clippings
- Dry leaves
- General garden waste
- Straw
- Woodchips
- Shredded newspaper
Tools:
1. Choose a compost bin
A compost bin is a rarely unseen garden accessory amongst the green-fingered. However, if you’re just getting into composting, it can be tricky to know what kind of compost bin to choose.
Firstly, think about your budget. We offer a variety compost bins, ranging from £25-£175 depending on the size and capabilities.
Secondly, think about how much garden space you have to work with. Where will you be setting up your compost bin? While small compost bins may seem like the best non-invasive option, the larger ones can work more efficiently, producing more compost.
From compact 15L urban composters to 1000L thermoinsulating compost bins, browse our full range to find your best fit.