Compost Bin Directions

Preparing the Compost

• 1

  Place your compost bin directly onto bare soil or grass rather than on a paved or concrete area. This will ensure that worms can get in and that moisture can drain out, both of which are essential to the composting process. For best results, place the bin in an area that is in the sun for some of the day.

• 2

  Each day, add fruit and vegetable peelings or garden waste, such as grass clippings, to the compost bin. Avoid adding meat or cooked food, as they will encourage flies. Compost bins should not be allowed to become too dry. Green materials are usually enough to prevent drying, but if the contents of the bin become too dry, add a little water. The presence of ants in the bin is a sign that its contents are becoming too dry.

• 3

  Look out for slugs, worms and woodlice in the compost bin. Their presence is vital to the composting process, so do not remove them. Fruit flies in the bin won't cause any harm, but they can be a nuisance. Placing a sheet of cardboard over freshly added peelings will discourage them.

Collecting the Compost

• 4

  It can take up to a year before the compost is ready. If the bin becomes full in the meantime, start another one. Once the compost is ready it will smell sweet and have a crumbly texture.

• 5

  Open the small hatch at the bottom of the compost bin. Shovel out the completed compost. This will create space for more peelings and garden waste to be added at the top, allowing the cycle to continue.

• 6

  Distribute the compost around your flower beds and pots. Take care to remove any slugs from the compost at this stage, as they will feed on your plants. You can replace any slugs in the compost bin.