Getting the best from your compost
Odours
A properly built compost heap will have a small amount of odour but it should not be unpleasant. Strong and unpleasant odours usually result from an unbalanced compost heap, eg composting grass clippings on their own, adding too many food scraps or adding the wrong types of foods. Bad odours will also occur if the heap becomes too wet or has too little air. To keep odours down, turn your compost heap each time you add material to enhance aeration and make sure you don't over-water your heap.
Animals and Pests
Adding food to a compost heap can make it more attractive to pests. In urban areas, the best way to avoid pests is to use an enclosed compost bin like those offered at home and garden stores.
Climate
The decomposition process that breaks down your food scraps and garden waste into compost is faster in the warm summer months than in the winter. Make sure you cover your compost to keep out the rain.
Kitchen bin
It is a good idea to have a small kitchen scrap bin to store food scraps as they are produced. When this bin is full, you can transfer the food scraps to your compost bin outside. To keep odours down it is preferable to have a bin with a lid and to line your kitchen scrap bin with newspaper. The newspaper can be thrown into the compost bin after each empty. Make sure you only place acceptable food scraps in your kitchen scrap bin.
Mature compost
It takes a while for compost to mature. Turning the compost will speed up the process and it should take around three to four months if the compost is regularly turned. If the compost is not turned, it should take up to nine months to a year for the compost to mature. Make sure to check the moisture content of the compost and add water to the heap if the material is dry. The compost should have a moisture level similar to a squeezed-out sponge. Ideally the finished product should look like potting mix but your compost does not have to be perfect. As long as most of the material is broken down (egg shells will not completely disappear) and you have material with a soil-like structure, your compost is ready to add to your garden.
Using the compost in your garden
You can use your compost at any time of the year. Early spring is a good time to add compost to your garden to help boost soil fertility, soil moisture retention and plant growth. The compost should be mixed into the top 5cm-10cm of your garden soil. If your compost is quite coarse you might want to pick out some of the branches to make it finer.
