Throwing garden waste into the dustbin really is a waste in the rue sense of the word. In doing so you are robbing the land of nutrients and the potential of improving the structure of the soil. Composted material is also very useful as a mulch to cut down on moisture loss and weed growth.

Even local councillors such as ours in Wakefield recognise the benefits of composting and provide bins especially for the collection of garden waste.

By composting garden waste you are simply making use of a perfectly natural chemical process, decomposition. It is this process that enriches the soil in ‘the wild’. Composting bins merely speed up the process.

Most organic material will compost and so you can add items such as paper, wood shavings and cardboard to your compost bin. Some bulky material will decompose faster if it is shredded.

For successful compost it is important not to have too much of any given material but a balanced mix. Too much grass clipping material will result in a soggy mess rather than the friable material that you wish to produce.

Diseased plant material, cooked food and meat products should not be composted. Material that has been treated with weed killer also must not be added to the composting material.

Composting material also benefits from being turned periodically. This aerates the material. Some composters can be rotated to achieve this with others it will be a case of emptying the bin and refilling.

For information from the RHS click here

Following Available from Harrod Horticultural