Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I don't have room for a composter?
A. Have you considered a wormery? A wormery takes less room, and can be sited in a small outdoor space. When fed with organic waste, it produces a liquid fertiliser that can be used on plants and flowers. Wormeries are available from some garden centres and from WRAP
Q. What should I do with my grass cuttings?
A. A small amount can be added to your compost bin in very thin layers, but if you are mowing your lawn regularly, why not leave them on the lawn instead? As long as the grass is not too long it will not form a thatch on the top and you will also improve the quality of your soil.
Q. Should I add weeds to my compost?
A. The roots of some perennial weeds should be excluded. In particular docks, dandelions, bindweed, scutch (couch) grass and ground elder should not be added, as they are likely to grow throughout your compost. Also, do not add any weeds that have seeds as you may end up spreading them throughout your garden. However, in general, it is fine to add weeds to your compost.
Q. What insects might I encounter?
A. The only insects you might encounter are fruit flies. The eggs are often present in the skin of fruit and vegetables and are harmless to humans. However, they may hatch inside your composter. To avoid flies, turn your compost regularly. If flies persist, add a layer of grass cuttings and cardboard.