what is compost? - Mitre 10 MEGA

WHAT YOU’LL NEEDTake this into store with you to makesure you get everything in one trip.For this project the following materialsand equipment are required:TOOLS:FFFFFFFFGarden fork and spadeWatering can or hoseGlovesCompost bin, tumbler or worm farmMATERIALS:FFFFFFFFOrganic household waste - green (planttrimmings etc.) and brown waste (leaves,twigs etc.) vege scraps.Worms (if using a worm farm)Enhancer - lime or Tui Compost EnhancerCompost bagsWORM FARMSWorm farms are becoming an increasingly popularway to turn organic household waste into a fantasticsoil conditioner. The worm casts and “worm tea” theyproduce, is regarded by many gardeners as superfoodfor plants.JJSelect your worm farm. You can make one yourself bystacking tyres, boxes, or plastic tubs, or simply buy aplastic tiered bin from Mitre 10.JJSelect a site that is sheltered from sun, wind and rain.JJStart with a layer of bedding material such as hay,shredded cardboard or paper.JJDampen down the bedding material.JJAdd approx. 250g compost worms.JJStart adding in your food scraps (avoid citrus, meat,dairy, flour products, large amounts of cooked food orshiny paper).JJCovering each layer of food scraps with paper or soilwill help reduce odour and flies hanging around.JJDon’t over feed worms in the beginning, 200gm a dayfor 250gms of worms – as the population grows so canthe volume of waste.JJMake sure there is good ventilation for the worms butnot light. When you take the lid off the bin you willnotice the worms dive down into the scraps to getaway from the light.JJMake sure the worm farm remains moist. Soakingwater/cardboard is a good idea.JJYou can put a tarp or old carpet over your worm farmduring colder seasons to keep them warm.JJAfter a few months the bottom layer should be full ofworm casts. This can be added to your garden and willprovide fantastic organic matter.J J The liquid that catches in the tray – “worm tea” canbe diluted at a rate of about 1:10 and used on yourgarden.HOW TOmake your owncompostScan WITH YOURSMARTPHONE QR APPor view online atMitre10.co.nz

WHAT IS COMPOST?Compost is simply decomposed organic waste. Nature’sbeen creating its own compost for millions of yearsand people have been making compost for thousandsof years to help boost their crops. Today, garden wasteand fruit and vege scraps from the kitchen are all that’srequired to keep up the good work. In just two to threemonths you can create an ongoing supply of organicfertiliser that’s packed with nutrients your plants willthrive on.WHAT TYPE OFCOMPOST BIN?You can build your own bin, use an open bottom plasticbin, a multi-layered plastic bin, a tumbler/rotating bin,or just start a heap straight onto the ground. It dependson how much waste you will have and what space youhave available as to what type of compost structure youneed. A plastic bin is good for smaller scale compostingand multiple wooden bins for larger scale composting.WHERE TO PUT ITChoose a well-drained site away from the house. It needsto be sheltered from wind and extreme heat.COMPOST BIN TIPSWhatever type of compost bin you decide to use, itneeds to have plenty of drainage through the bottomand adequate ventilation through the sides. Your binshould be able to be covered and ideally your bin wouldhave three compartments (newly added organic material,partly composted material, and fully decomposed/readyto-usecompost) but this is more for convenience andis by no means essential. A removable front is anotheroption that makes access for turning or removing thecompost simple. It doesn’t make better compost but itwill make your bin much easier to use.MAKING YOURCOMPOSTOnce you’ve decided where you’re going to make yourcompost, it’s time to get started.Add your organic material in layers to create a balance ofcarbon and nitrogen.Start with a layer of carbon – your brown material: driedleaves, twigs, pea straw, newspaper etc. Next add anitrogen layer – your green material: plant trimmings,grass clippings, anything green and leafy.Adding a product like lime to each layer as you prepareyour heap will accelerate the composting and helpneutralise acidity, plus it has the added bonus of helpingto keep flies away. Keep adding alternate layers, then addwater and cover the heap to enable it to decomposequickly. Compost needs to be turned regularly to aerateand help the decomposition process.WHAT DOESN’T GOINTO COMPOSTPlastic, chemicals, diseased plants and trimmings, animalwaste – it contains harmful bacteria and viruses whichwill infect the soil.Mitre 10 Handy Hint:• Chop up your waste to help it decomposequicker. With bigger pieces of plant trimmingsfor example, just spread them on the lawn andrun over them with the lawnmower before youadd to your compost, but don’t overdo it. Withlarger branches your lawnmower won’t cope.Compost is nature’s way of recycling.Organic matter decomposes,decomposition creates compost,and compost makes plants growlike mad. Adding compost to yourgarden will help bring out the bestin your plants and making your owncompost is easy as.worm farm COMPOST PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONSProblem Cause SolutionRotting food Too much for population Feed lessFruit/vinegar flies around farm,or small white bugs and wormsToo acidicCover food with damp paper.Add lime to increase pHWorms climbing up sidesor worms very fat and paleToo wetAdd paper products and dry leaves,gently fork holes in the working layerAnts Too dry or acidic Add water/lime. If your worm farm is on legs,place each leg in a container of water to stopsuch pests from getting inFood rotting and not eatenToo much or wrongAdd less food, break into small piecesfood/pieces too bigNo worm tea Not enough water Add waterLimitation of LiabilityThis project planner has been produced to provide basic informationand our experienced staff are available to answer any questions you mayhave. Because this planner is general in nature, neither your Mitre 10supplier nor their staff are responsible for the application of thesedesign principles in any particular case, as the contents of this brochuremay need to be modified for the particular site and circumstances.Mitre 10 is not responsible for the quality of work carried out on thegoods by the consumer and is not responsible for the design orconstruction of any structure in which the goods are incorporated.Where applicable consumers should ensure that they comply with TheNew Zealand Building Code and/or Local Body Bylaws in respect of anysuch structures.Consumers are advised to call a qualified tradesman such as a builder,electrician or plumber where expert services are required.Mitre 10 will not be liable for any consequential loss howsoever arisingfrom the use of goods sold, nor for any loss caused by defective orinadequate structures in which goods are incorporated.For more Easy As Guides visit mitre10.co.nz