The easy compost fix-it guide Asto work

composting is a natural process, it doesn’t take much

out the problem. Some solutions are listed below.

Smelly compost? Fix it

Combine nitrogen-rich
If it gets too wet or if there is Fork in dry leaves ingredients with sawdust
not enough air in the heap your or garden mulch. or shredded newspaper
compost can smell. A common Add garden lime, before adding to the heap.
cause is having too much food dolomite or woodfire ash to Give your compost heap a
and not enough dry ingredients the heap to reduce acidity. ‘floor’ of planks to ensure
in your compost. good drainage.
Turn the compost to add air.

Unwelcome visitors? Fix it Turn the compost to

discourage ants and
Ants, cockroaches, Always cover cockroaches.
mice or rats food with a
can sometimes layer of garden
Fine wire under the
compost bin or heap helps
make your vegetation
keep out mice and rats.
compost or soil – then
their home. cover heap Avoid placing dairy
with underfelt, products, meat and
hessian or polythene plastic sheet. seafood in the compost.

Compost slow For more information visit

to mature? www.environment.nsw.gov.au
www.livingthing.net.au
A slow composting system can mean
that the compost is not hot enough, or Contact
there may not be enough air or water. DECC Environment Line
131 555
Fix it Published by
Add nitrogen-rich material, such Department of Environment and
as kitchen scraps or green garden Compost bins and Climate Change NSW
59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
vegetation. worm farms are Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)
Turn the heap and add water. available from Fax: (02) 9995 5999
TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Cover the compost with insulating some local councils. Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au
material in winter if it gets too cold.
DECC 2009/286 ISBN 978 1 74232 229 2 April 2009 Printed on 100% recycled paper

Easy
composting
Create your own Eden

Composting easyguide.indd 1 27/4/09 11:02:04 AM

 Why compost? Did you know?
Compost is natural and n recycle valuable n About half of what we throw
inexpensive and is good for the nutrients and reduce into the garbage
environment. By turning food the use of artificial bin is food and
scraps and garden vegetation fertilisers garden vegetation.
into compost you can:
n prevent greenhouse n These materials
n improve soil quality and gas emissions and can be used to make
garden vitality landfill impacts from compost to benefit
n conserve water wasted food and garden vegetation. your garden.

4 easy steps to great compost

1 Choose the site 3 Create layers
Look for a site with good drainage To make compost, start with a
and summer shade. thick layer (15cm) of twigs or
coarse mulch at the base for

2 Compost ingredients drainage. Then follow the A,B,C

steps and repeat to build a heap
layer upon layer.
You will need:
n nitrogen rich kitchen scraps such
A. Thin layer of kitchen scraps
as fruit and vegetable peelings and and green garden vegetation
green garden vegetation such as B. Cover with a layer of brown Hint Sprinkling soil
fresh grass clippings, green leaves, garden vegetation covering or finished compost
weeds and manure all kitchen scraps on top of food scraps
will make a richer
n carbon-rich brown garden C. Moisten well
compost and help
vegetation such as dry leaves,
Then repeat steps ABC to build reduce odours.
woody twigs, paper and straw
a heap layer upon layer.
n some water
some soil or completed compost
4 Maintaining your compost
n
to introduce composting
micro-organisms.
Add air to the compost so it doesn't smell by turning it with
a garden fork weekly or by placing garden stakes or pipes
Hints through the heap to allow air in.
Use the lawn
mower to chop up coarse garden prunings.
Hint Cover your heap so that it is just moist, not
Keep a bucket with a well-sealed lid in the wet. If it is wet or saturated mix more dry brown
kitchen to collect food scraps. material through it and turn.

Compost problems? Turn over for the Easy Compost Fix-it Guide >>

How to use compost What you can compost

Use compost as: Fruit and vegetable peelings, newspapers,
n seed-raising mix grass clippings, weeds, tea leaves, coffee
grounds, egg shells, old potting mix, dead
n fertiliser flowers, human and animal hair.
n mulch (apply Drip
up to twice line Hint Avoid placing meat or dairy products in
a year on your compost until you are confident and
natives). experienced in making compost.

Composting easyguide.indd 2 27/4/09 11:02:06 AM