How To Compost
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STEP 1 Select a location for your compost bin
A shady spot in the garden can be an ideal location for your compost bin. Too much sun can dry your compost, however if you only have sunny places available, don't worry, you will still be able to make fantastic compost. The bottom of the compost bin should be open so that the compost can make contact with the ground, allowing worms to come and go, and nutrients to get into the soil. If you have a tumble bin or a closed compost system, you can put it anywhere.
Place your bin somewhere accessible and practical - if you put it far away at the back of the garden behind your garden shed where spiders like to hang out, it is less likely that you will use your compost bin effectively! Have it reasonably close to your kitchen, but also close to where you will be using the compost when it is ready.
STEP 2 Start filling your compost bin
Adding a diversity of materials to your compost is vital. It will keep the good bacteria alive and happy and will also ensure materials breakdown efficiently. Try to get a good balance between nitrogen rich (greens) and carbon rich (browns) products over time. For example, after a few days of placing food scraps into the compost bin, cover it with a layer of soil, garden waste or shredded paper. This helps discourage insects and vermin from feeding in your compost and it also helps heat the compost and accelerate the decomposition process.
STEP 3 Monitor the air and moisture levels
Air and moisture are crucial for keeping the decomposition process active. The contents of your compost bin should be kept slightly moist. After placing dry materials such as leaves or dry grass clippings into your compost, spray the surface with a small amount of water to dampen these materials. If your compost becomes too wet, dry ingredients such as twigs, leaves and dry grass clippings need to be added.
Probably the most essential part of composting, and the one that too often gets forgotten, is aeration. It is really, really important to turn your compost regularly. Not only does this help to aerate the mix, accelerating the decomposition process, it also prevents the bin from getting smelly, and discourages rodents from nesting there. Using a garden fork can sometimes be awkward, so get yourself a compost mate- a corkscrew shaped item that makes it very easy to turn your compost (available from Council for $16.50). I would recommend turning your pile every week, but if this is too much, at least every fortnight.
STEP 4 Harvesting your compost
The process of breaking down kitchen and garden waste takes about eight to 10 weeks - longer if you don't turn it regularly. When the compost is ready, it will be dark and crumbly. To harvest your compost, lift the compost bin away from the heap, scrape any materials that have not decomposed from the top of the heap and place them to the side to be put back into the compost bin. You should be left with a pile of compost ready to use in your garden.
If you have any problems with your composting, visit our trouble shooting page
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Where do I Purchase a Compost Bin
Frankston City Council sells Compost Bins for $34.40 and are available from the following outlets:
- Langwarrin Customer Service Centre on 8786 6512 - Southgateway Shopping Centre, Langwarrin
- Seaford Customer Service Centre on 8773 9601 - 120 Nepean Highway, Frankston
- Frankston Civic Centre on 1300 322 322 - Corner Young and Davey Streets, Frankston
For more information download a copy of the Composting Fact Sheet.
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