Compost, compost, compost!!

Composting is an amazing process. It is a fantastic way to reduce your food waste and direct that straight into the garden to benefit all of your plants by creating beautiful additions to your soil. So....let's get down and dirty and talk about compost!

Why do I compost? 

I have been shocked at the amount of food scraps we generate each day. I have a large bowl on the bench top and I toss all food scraps into it and never in the bin. We accumulate one full bowl every few days from a family of four. Mind you, not much food wastage (i.e. food we don't eat) but the scraps from the inedible bits of vegetables (I used to save in the freezer for stocks but I don't make so much in the Summer). So....I wanted to divert this from going directly to landfill and 'close the loop' a little more in our household.

I have looked into various ways of composting and found that a combination of methods few methods suit us best. We utilise several different methods of composting our food waste:
         1) Bokashi (fermenting) bin
         2) Worm farms
         3) Compost bins (rubbish bins converted into compost bins)
         4) Digging food scraps directly into the garden

1)   Bokashi Method

Wanting to reduce the amount of waste we produced, I bought a Bokashi bin about 5 years ago, when we lived in a smaller townhouse with a much smaller backyard. It is recommended to leave the food scraps fermenting for at least a month and then direct dig into the backyard. It also has a tap at the bottom to allow you to drain off the fermented juice to dilute and put on the garden (like worm juice).

If you live in an apartment, this may be a good option for you. You could swap the juice and fermented scraps with a friend in exchange for other goods/services or swap at a local harvest share swap.

The bin is great, however, we do generate a lot of food scraps and with a growing family now, it fills within a week or so. So, I had to look into alternative methods of composting larger amounts. In addition, you'll need to buy the bokashi grains to encourage fermentation - an ongoing cost. I've seen recipes online to make your own, however I choose to spend my time on other things.

Bokashi bin hiding in the shrubs

2)    Worm Farms

Our council was offering discounted worm farms and compost bins through a program called the Compost Revolution. You do a quick quiz on the topic of composting and worm farms - and bingo - you can qualify for a discounted worm farm or compost bin if you live in one of many local government areas throughout Australia. I chose a worm farm and was soon delivered our first worm farm (below).

Worm Farm from Compost Revolution

This takes much more food waste than the Bokashi as it has 3 levels that you can add in as you go. The worms have been our first 'pet'. At the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show this year I saw a much bigger bin - The Hungry Bin (180L) and purchased that. It has been fantastic. But prior to seeing this, we just had a small worm farm and small Bokashi bin (and a family of 4). So....we needed something more!

The hungry bin:

The Hungry Bin - in the shade

Inside the Hungry Bin - insulating layer of damp newspaper

Inside the Hungry Bin - happy worms!

You can also create your own worm farm from two polystyrene boxes.

These worm farms need care as they are susceptible to changes in weather - too hot and they cook and too cold and they may freeze. Normally, worms in the ground can bury deeper but these worms can't escape as they are closed systems.

I put a large block of ice on top in hot weather and ensure the worm farm/bin is in the shade. Draping a wet towel or cloth on top can also help keep it cool. Weather in Melbourne doesn't get too cold and the worm farm is often warm as the contents break down - the worms have been okay through Winter.

Feed your worms as much as they can eat over a week period. This may be a small handful of food and increase as they multiply. I cover with damp newspaper to prevent food from getting mouldy and also to insulate and protect the worms a little.

I have also made some worm tubes out of some leftover ag pipe - I have drilled holes in the side and buried about 20cm down in the soil. Some worms, scraps and covered with moist shredded newspaper. These worms can bury further into the soil if the weather is hot.

   

Worm tube made from leftover agricultural pipe

Worm tube - behind the seat of the raised garden bed - poking out to remind me to feed the worms!

3)    Compost bins

I had a few black/metal garbage bins lying around and ended up just cutting a hole in the bottom, tipping them upside down and placing directly on the soil.  A mix of vegie scraps, dry garden leaves/waste/dry lawn clippings and shredded paper seem to do the trick.  Altogether I have 3 bins on the go. One of them has worms all through! None of them are really hot composting as I don't turn them often enough, but they do the trick.
You can buy specific compost bins, but for me, rubbish bins are cheaper and I had some lying around, as you do....

Compost bin made from old rubbish bin - hole cut out in the bottom and buried a little way in the soil

Damp shredded newspaper on top

Compost in the making underneath the newly added shredded newspaper

I alternate layers with shredded paper/dry grass,/prunings and food scraps.  It also may get a little occasional nitrogen boost thanks to our own natural liquid waste!

4) Direct Digging

The last method - digging a big hole or trench in our clay soil, throwing the scraps in, and covering over - has been a great way to directly improve our clay soil. Sure, digging a hole can be hard, but I have noticed it has really improved the soil in the back garden.  I usually do this when all other options are full!

Directly composting on the soil - compost pile

This was quite a big pile a month or two ago. Not exactly 'direct digging' - more of the 'just throw it in a pile and cover it up with cardboard/newspaper' approach.  It is covered in layers of thick, damp newspaper and a few extra clippings on top. It has shrunk down to half its size. I'm thinking I might plant an avocado tree directly in there....?

Pros and Cons of Composting

Pros

• Reducing waste
• Producing your own amazing compost - free! 
• Leading to a happy garden and soil bacteria
• Happier and more nutritious fruit and vegies that you grow!
• Closing the loop
• Creates a wonderful worm juice (if using worm farm)
• Doesn't have to cost anything
• Extremely satistfying!
• You can move the compost bin around the garden once a full batch is made
• Improves all soil with the addition of compost - clay/sandy
• 
  

Cons

• Possible costs associated with set up - if you choose to
• Having to wait patiently for it to compost!
• Warm farm needs looking after in very hot or cold weather
• Digging holes in clay soil for direct digging method
• You can never make enough! 

So now....click here for what you can compost!

What's your preferred method of composting? Have you had much success with it?  Let us know!