Laura Fanthorpe, Garden Writer for Garden Answers

Not only is compost great for the garden, but composting is also a fantastic way to make use of all those garden and kitchen scraps that seem to be in never-ending supply! Most items that go in the bin can be put on the compost pile instead. Egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags and vegetable peelings are all great materials to add.

If you’re composting with a compost pile, you should aim to have a big-enough bin that heat can build up. However, you must also keep your compost aerated – occasionally mix up the contents so that the pile completely dry out, since it needs moisture to keep the composting process active. Likewise don’t let your compost get too wet since this will also slow down the process.

Think about it like a recipe – you need to have a good mix of ingredients in order to get the best final results. Too much of one material will create poor compost, so remember to mix two parts brown (dry leaves, small twigs) with one part green (grass cuttings, kitchen scraps) to get the best compost recipe.

Click here to learn more about composting.