• A good quality composter will last your family for 10 to 20 years. That’s why choosing a composter requires thought: you want a unit that will work for many years without costly changes.

    Compost bins come in lots of different shapes and sizes and when choosing one it’s always good to consider your family size, what amount of waste (garden and/or food) you plan on putting in it, and how much time you have to maintain your bin.

    The best budget models are made of recycled plastic and consist of a one-piece cone shaped body with a snug-fitting removable lid and single hatch. They are very quick to set up – stand it on soil and you’re good to go.

    The Ecomax ones we used for our Net Zero Heroes project were great for a small family. They were purchased for £40 each from W&D Ross Hardware in Thurso.

    You can also get traditional wooden compost bins which have a much larger capacity, create compost a lot quicker than the plastic ones, however come at a higher cost of around £200.

    Hot composters also have great capacity and work effectively for all types of food and garden waste. They are very efficient and do not require any mixing. They come in at around £130.

    If you want to create compost fast, a batch composter is a great option. The tumbling action of these composters means you can have a cooked batch in as little as four to eight weeks, but it needs to be turned daily and checked for sufficient moisture.

    Check out this fantastic website for more information

  • Choosing the right spot can be the difference between an efficient and inefficient compost bin.

    It’s best to site it on a level, well-drained spot, which will ensure that any excess water drains away easily. This also helps worms to get in and get on with the job of breaking down the content.

    Also make sure it’s a sufficient distance from your home to avoid the smell, but also within easy reach when the weather is bad.

    A site that gets a mix of shade and sunlight might be a good choice as a colder location can slow down the composting process. This is especially important as we in Scotland live in a cooler climate. The rays of the sun will help heat up the pile, and warmer piles will produce quicker compost. However, if it’s too hot, the compost will dry out.

    Similarly, if you put the bin somewhere windy, it will dry out. You want the pile to remain humid. If you can, pick a spot which has natural or man-made windbreakers.

    For more tips on where to place your compost bin click here

  • There can be a lot of confusion as to what to put in your compost bin and advice often varies.

    Good things to compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are fast to break down and provide important nitrogen as well as moisture.

    It’s also good to include things such as cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. These are slower to rot but provide vital fibre and carbon and allow important air pockets to form in the mixture. Crushed eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.

    Certain things should never be placed in your bin, especially meat, fat and bones as not only can they carry the risk for disease, but they are also very attractive to a wide variety of undesirable animals.

    Many dairy products, including cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream and milk, can be added to your compost if you choose. However, because of their high moisture and fat content you'll need to add dry organic materials such as shredded paper, straw, and dry leaves to counteract the moisture.

    Some recommended that butter, cooking oil, animal fat, and grease be avoided completely.

    No diseased plants, and no dog poo or cat litter, or babies’ nappies. Putting any of these in your compost will lead to unwanted pests and smells.

    Also avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads.

    Remember that plastics, glass, and metals are not suitable for composting and should be recycled separately.

  • The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to keep your ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ properly balanced. If your compost is too wet, add more ‘browns’. If it’s too dry, add some ‘greens’.

    Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Adding scrunched up bits of cardboard is a simple way to create air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy. Air can also be added by mixing the contents.

    A well-cared-for compost heap requires regular turning, which can be a tricky job without the right tools. Turning your compost helps to aerate and mix up the waste and cuttings, which leads to faster composting.

    When your compost is ready, you’ll have a dark brown, almost black soil-like layer at the bottom of your bin. It should have a spongy texture and will be rich in nutrients.

    Spreading the finished compost into your flowerbeds greatly improves soil quality by helping it retain moisture and suppressing weeds. It also reduces the need to use chemical fertilisers and pesticides.