Shropshire Master Composters

Although fermenting, not composting, making pre-compost in Bokashi buckets can be the perfect companion to a cool composting bin, to enable the processing of all kitchen scraps and food waste including, cooked food, meat and dairy. A special bran, containing effective microorganisms, is added to your food waste, which is then left in the airtight bucket to ferment over a few weeks. This fermented food waste can then be safely added to your compost bin or heap and will also help to speed up the composting process. Alternatively, you can bury your fermented Bokashi food waste directly into the soil, which will enhance the soil's fertility and microbiology.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

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Why not go really green and make your own compost bin out of leftover floorboards or discarded pallets?
If you are keen on DIY the cheapest and most sustainable type of compost bin is one that you make yourself out of recycled wood. There are lots of variations on the DIY wooden compost bin, which can be as simple as tying 3 pallets together with string. If you are a little more handy, try taking the pallets apart and building a 'New Zealand' style bay system with slatted fronts that you can add more bays to when you need to increase capacity. There are plenty of instructions online so you should find something to suit your requirements and the materials you have available or have a look at our method on our website:
https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/garden-management/composting/homemade-compost-bins
which is ideal for using reclaimed timber such as floorboards or pallets.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

If nothing is happening in your compost pile and the materials are not breaking down, this is a good indication that your compost is too dry and you don't have enough nitrogen rich 'green' materials in the mix. Try adding some fresh grass cuttings or some fruit and veg scraps from the kitchen and mix them in well to get the composting process going again. Comfrey leaves are also an excellent compost activator.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

If you have an unpleasant smelling compost bin, this is probably because it has become anaerobic due to putting too many nitrogen rich 'greens' in and not enough carbon rich 'browns' and it does not have enough air. you can fix it by adding lots of 'browns' like dead or woody plant material, cardboard, shredded paper or sawdust and don't forget to mix it really well.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
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https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

The ambient temperature can affect your compost bin so you might need to take this into consideration during particularly hot, dry spells. During warm weather the composting process will speed up and you will likely find the contents of your bin will break down very quickly. However, if it is very hot and dry it may quickly dry out if it is sat in the hot sun especially if you have an open heap or your compost bin does not have a lid on it. A shady spot is ideal for your compost bin during hot weather and if you find things are too dry and the process starts to slow, add more nitrogen rich 'green' materials or add some water during particularly hot dry spells. Don't forget to cover your heap or put a lid on your compost bin to help retain moisture.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

Your compost bin lid maintains the moisture levels of your compost by stopping the sun and wind from drying it out and also preventing the rain from getting in and making it too wet. If you have a homemade bin or a compost heap you could cover it with a piece of old 100% wool carpet or rug which will also help insulate its contents, however don't use synthetic carpets as they disintegrate over time and contaminate your compost.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

Find out more about food growing, composting and seed saving at Oswestry Gatacre Allotment's open day this weekend. Master Composter and plot holder Ruth will have information about Garden Organic, the Heritage Seed Library and how to get the best results from your compost.
Shropshire What's On

The Swedish-designed Green Johanna is a more expensive choice at about £130, but a popular option due to it reaching higher composting temperatures and being a completely sealed bin, apart from the tiny air holes around the bottom of the sides and in the base itself, meaning you can add cooked food waste along with your garden waste as it gives greater protection from rats, but allow the important composting creatures like worms to get inside.

The higher temperatures mean that a well-managed Green Johanna can produce compost in about four to six months.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

The Blackwall Compost Converter, or 'Dalek' compost bin, is a great starter compost bin, affordable and made from 100% recycled plastic. There are plenty of similar designs on the market and they can often be found advertised on Freecycle and Freegle sites or why not try your luck with a 'Wanted' ad if you are looking to start composting on a budget.

Keep following for more composting and food waste reduction tips from Garden Organic.

For more on composting...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganiccomposting

For more on food waste...
https://linktr.ee/gardenorganicfoodwaste

Our summer Organic Way magazine will help you weather the heatwaves with tips on water-saving techniques from award-winning garden writer Stephanie Hafferty.

Our experts also offer advice on unusual salads to sow in late summer, the benefits of grasses and we discuss whether climate fluctuations are changing the behaviour of plants. Plus, we have a handy home-composting pull-out.

If you're not a member, grab your copy today by joining us at gardenorganic.org.uk/join and help support our charity.