How to get good compost
With local councils reducing the number of refuse collections and encouraging recycling, it makes sense to compost your organic rubbish, leaving more room in your wheelie bin for rubbish that cannot be recycled.
There are a number of compost bins available in large garden centres and DIY stores, although you may find that your local council will provide one at a subsidised rate or even free of charge.
If you can, start your composting in the Spring. Place small twigs and woody materials at the bottom of your bin to help air to circulate. Then, add organic household waste like vegetable peelings and shredded garden waste such as soft prunings which are high in nitrogen. Smaller items will decompose quicker. The best thing is to make sure that you vary the content of the compost bin and that you do not put too much of any one thing in at a time. When you mow the lawn, just put one or two collection boxes full of grass clippings in the bin and make sure you spread it evenly over the top of the compost. If your compost is looking dry, then spray with water and turn your compost from time to time with a small garden fork. You can also spread loose sheets of newspaper over your compost which will add carbon to the content of your compost. As the bin becomes full, the compost will start to heat up and the the decomposition process speeds up. Depending on the content and location of your bin and the amount of attention you give it, you may find that the compost at the bottom may be ready to use within 3 to 4 months. If you have thrown away bulkier items, then it may take 9 to 12 months for everything to decompose fully.
Only put green food waste in the compost bin and do not add meat or fish scraps or cooked food. Also avoid perennial weeds such as bindweed and any diseased plant cuttings.