HOW to get started on building your own home compost pile

1. Gather compostable kitchen waste in a plastic container.

2. At the bottom of the compost bin, place a layer of twigs or sticks about three to four inches high. This will allow air to circulate at the bottom of the pile and help prevent odours.

3. Place kitchen waste on to twigs and then cover the kitchen waste with a layer of brown material (see list).

4. Sprinkle some soil or compost over the top. This adds microorganisms to the pile, helping to speed up the decomposition. It also helps keep away insects and pests.

5. Your compost pile will go through three stages

a. Degradation - organic materials broken down

b. Conversion - Rich, dark earthy substance develops known as "fresh" or "raw" compost

c. Curing - As the microbial activity subsides, your compost pile will cool down. Worms and insects gradually return and the compost looks and smells like "humusy" soil known as mature compost

General rule of thumb for the composition of your compost pile:

For every 15-30 parts of Brown Material (carbon), add one part Green Material (nitrogen).

Brown Material (carbon)

Ashes from woods

Shredded cardboard

Fruit waste

Leaves

Newspaper shredded (if newspaper ink is soy based)

Sawdust and wood shavings

Straw

Vegetable stalks

Dryer lint

Green Material (nitrogen)

Coffee grounds

Food waste

Garden waste

Grass clippings

Hedge clippings

Vegetable scraps

Old plants

Seaweed (rinsed)

Information provided by Aberfeldy Nursery