Get the most out of your garden with your own compost heap
During the monthly Gardening Club meeting that took place on Tuesday, 21 August, gardener and nursery owner, Cornie Odendaal spoke about how to make your own compost.
POLOKWANE – “Compost and coating is not the same. Coating can be bark chips or nut shells or even Autumn leaves. Compost is the product of a bit more effort. Use as much good compost as possible instead of fertiliser. In addition to the nutritional value of compost, it increases the soil’s water retention ability and improves the soil structure, which is good for plant root development.”
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Cornie explains that there is a variety of ways that one can make compost and that the nitrogen to carbon ratio should always be 1: 3.
“We create layers, like with lasagne, only using other ingredients.”
The layers that are alternated are:
• Dry field grass (30cm)
• Green material like grass clippings, pruning, autumn leaves and kitchen waste (20cm)
• Manure. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, so it will be a thin layer whereas horse manure can be used in more quantities.
Keep on with the layers until the heap is about 1.5m x 1.5m.
Tips:
• Compost-stimulating herbs can be part of the green layer. Use Comfrey yarrow, feverfew, Wildeals and Kappertjies.
• Do not use sick plants or weed with flowers and seeds.
• Compost stimulating bacteria like EM can also be used and the heap needs to be watered.
• After a week or two, you can see if the heap needs to be turned.
• To find out how hot the heap is, stick an iron rod in, pull it out after a few minutes and feel if it is hot.
• You can pour water in while turning the heap.
• If the heap is too dry, do not wet it while turning.
• The compost is ready when you get a sweet smell and the original material is not distinguishable anymore.
Read more on Cornie’s advice to create water-saving gardens in Review.
