Top tips for composting

Starting to compost at your school? Here is some advice and top tips

• Put the compost bin somewhere convenient and easily accessible and on soil where worms and other creepy crawlies can get in easily
• Every now and then introduce air to your bin by using a fork to lift/mix the material.
• Mix softer greener wastes with the tougher material. You should avoid having heavy layers of grass cuttings or leaves
• Smaller items compost quicker than larger ones so to speed up the process chop up larger items
• Keep the compost damp but not wet
• If the compost is too dry add more fruit and veg peelings, tea bags and grass cuttings
• If the compost is too wet add dry material such as leaves, sawdust, and cardboard
• Keep the compost covered to keep the heat and water in
• When you add kitchen waste bury it below the surface to prevent flies
• It can take any length of time from 6 months to a year. You'll know when it's ready as it will look like dark, rich soil and will have a sweet earthy smell.

What should we compost?