What your garden needs in excess
The amount of compost you put in your garden is often dependent on what you can afford.
However, you can’t have too much and, if you can’t afford to buy enough, there is a way around that.
Compost heaps are a great way to get good quality compost in your garden, provided you know what you’re doing.
This is according to Benoni-based horticulturist Stephen Rehbock, who was speaking at the Benoni Horticultural Society’s meeting, at the Four Seasons Nursery, on Saturday, October 19.
He said people at times fail to make good compost.
The key to making good compost is good aeration and having the correct moisture levels in the heap.
The aeration and moisture levels are essential to the decomposition process.
Rehbock said the ideal spot for your compost heap is in the shade, but, if you only have a sunny spot in your garden, then that will do, too.
In the case of the latter, you should wet it more, often or add more grass clippings to the heap, which will ensure an increase in the heap’s moisture content.
If your space is limited you can put your excess food and throw-aways in a barrel – make sure it’s rotated often enough.
Rehbock said you can also place a pipe with holes in it through the compost drum, to help with ventilation.
Broken or finely ground branches, as well as items with varying nutritional values, can aid you in making a well-rounded compost.
Leaves could also be added to the heap.
The finer these leaves are the faster the decomposition process will start.
Paper could also be used in the heap, but again, more moisture will be needed to compensate for the dry paper.
Tea bags, large chunks of fruit and vegetables and bread are also acceptable, although you’d probably like to use chicken wire to cordon off the heap from rodents.
Rehbock warned of commercial compost which contains large chunks of bark.
These pieces are too large to be effective and hinder the compost’s ability to retain moisture.
The Benoni Horticultural Society meets at the Four Seasons Nursery every third Saturday of the month.
For more information contact Rehbock on 011 849 2657.
