Turn your scraps into garden gold
Composting isn’t just a way to reduce waste; it’s a fantastic way to create healthy soil for your garden!
Even the smallest scraps from your kitchen can become nutrient-rich food for plants.
How do food scraps and other organic waste break down into compost?
1. Scraps go in
It all starts when you add fruit scraps, veg peelings, dry leaves, paper, and other natural materials to your compost heap.
2. Tiny creatures move in
Worms, beetles, woodlice, springtails, and lots of other insects crawl into the heap to explore. They nibble, munch, and chew the scraps into smaller pieces. Special bacteria and fungi called microbes break food down even further. They’re too tiny to see, but they do lots of the hard work.
3. The compost heap heats up
As the microbes work, they release heat and warm up the compost. This helps break down the scraps faster.
4. Everything mixes together
The scraps slowly turn into darker, softer material like soil. Worms wriggle around mixing everything and the pile becomes crumbly.
5. New compost is made
After a few weeks or months (depending on the size of your heap), the old scraps and leaves have transformed into rich compost that’s full of nutrients. You can add this to soil in your garden or plant pots. It helps plants grow strong, gives them natural food, and keeps the soil healthy.
What can be composted?
Here’s a simple guide to what can and can’t go into your compost heap.
Items you can compost:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, leftovers)
- Coffee grounds and tea bags (make sure tea bags are plastic-free)
- Eggshells
- Grass cuttings
- Cardboard and paper (non-glossy, torn up)
- Plant trimmings and flowers
- Shredded newspaper
- Hair and pet fur
Items you should not compost:
- Meat, fish, and dairy (they smell and attract pests)
- Cooked or oily foods
- Glossy or coated paper like magazines
- Plastic, metal, or glass
- Pet waste like dog poo
- Diseased plants (they can spread illness to healthy soil)
- Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon
Creative ways to compost
Compost Bin
Using a compost bin keeps everything neat and tidy. Add your scraps in layers, remember to mix occasionally, and watch as your leftovers slowly turn into crumbly soil.
Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)
Red wriggler worms love to eat food scraps, and they produce nutrient-rich worm castings which are great for pot plants or garden beds.
Indoor Bokashi System
Bokashi bins use friendly microbes to break down food in a small space. They’re great for flats or homes without gardens.
Compost Crafts
Decorate your compost bin, make bins for your different scraps, or design your own compost signs. It’s a fun way to learn and make your compost corner look extra special.