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Home compost for dummies


There is no "best" time to start home composting - in theory, you can start composting at any time of the year.

However, spring and autumn are generally ideal times to start composting, as the milder temperatures encourage the biodegradation of organic waste.

In autumn, dead leaves abound, providing an excellent source of brown matter for your compost.

In spring, you can take advantage of excess (green) garden and kitchen waste to feed your compost.

Here are the steps to follow :

  • Choose the right spot
  • Choose a shady spot in your garden, sheltered from the rain;

  • Use the right bin
  • You can use a ready-made compost bin or make your own from recycled materials.
  • It is important that it is properly ventilated, but not too much, otherwise it will dry out and get cold.
  •  It is also better that it remains in contact with the soil so that it can interact with it;

  • Add the right elements
  • Start with coarse items such as branches to ensure good aeration under the compost, then alternate layers of moist green waste (rich in nitrogen), such as fruit and vegetable remains, and brown waste, usually dry (rich in carbon), such as dead leaves or cardboard.
  • Also try to mix rough and fine materials and avoid meat or cooked foods, which attract pests.

  • Do the right job
  • Stir your compost regularly to encourage decomposition and water it if necessary to maintain adequate moisture.
  • To maintain your domestic compost, keep adding waste, maintaining a good balance between green and brown elements.
  • We tend not to add enough brown waste. Some manufactured products (cardboard, tea bags or coffee capsules) are generally a good source of carbon, but only add Ok compost HOME-certified items to ensure that they decompose properly without having a negative effect on your compost.      

Keep an eye on humidity and temperature, and don't hesitate to adjust if necessary.

How do you check the moisture content? Simply take a handful of material and squeeze it. If nothing flows between your fingers, it's too dry and needs to be moistened. If water drips through, it's too damp, so dry it by mixing it with dry materials. Finally, if a few drops run through the fingers, humidity is ideal..

You'll soon have rich, fertile compost for your garden!