What are common composting mistakes? 

Composting is one of the good things of gardening, but when done incorrectly, it may do more harm than good.

Read on to find some important tips to get this right. 

• Using immature compost:

Using unready or immature composting material that contains food scraps can attract pests and can cause harm to young plants.

Hence it is essential to make sure your compost has fully decomposed before adding it to your garden beds.

The simplest way to tell if your compost is mature and is ready to be used is by doing the “bag test.” Put a handful of moist compost into a zip-lock bag and press out the air before sealing.

Leave it for three days.

If you detect an ammonia or sour odor, the microorganisms are still at work, and you need to let your compost finish curing. Test again after a week. 

• Adding too much of compost:

Although compost is in general a good addition to the soil, adding too much can be harmful.

This is particularly true for manure-based compost, which can have high levels of phosphorus.

Although phosphorus is an essential nutrient, too much can cause issues such as ammonia toxicity and the loss of certain beneficial fungi. 

• Incorrectly adding compost:

Gardeners should be mindful while adding compost based on the plant’s lifecycle.

For example, while planting a new tree don’t add compost to a freshly dug hole, as this will discourage tree roots from growing beyond the hole. 

• Replacing compost with fertilizer:

Compost and fertilizer serve two different purposes - Fertilizer feeds plants nutrients, while Compost works with the soil to make it a better environment.

If your plants are lacking certain nutrients, you may want to consider fertilizer.

However, if your plants are healthy but the soil is dense, then it’s time to add compost. 

• Planting directly into compost:

A well-formed compost is generally too lightweight to support a robust root system.

It is also too porous to retain an amount of water that's sufficient for plants to survive.

It is essential to remember that compost is a soil amendment and not replacement.

Compost adds the missing nutrients in the soil to enhance plant growth. 

How does compost actually help?

• Adding compost to your garden helps improve the structure and overall health of your soil.
• Compost helps the soil to retain moisture
• It increases the earthworm and microbial population in the soil, which serves as biological controls against unwanted pests.
• Compost will provide a slow release of macronutrients ensuring a steady supply of nutrients for the plants.

What to look for in a good Compost bin?

• Easy to assemble: You don’t want those complicated things that never actually come together. Get something that is ready to use or fits with just a few easy steps.
• Durable material: Whilst metal bins are strong, they don’t last the outdoor weather as they tend to rust or corrode over time. A recycled plastic composter, like the Hozelock composter, not only is durable, but can handle the highs and lows of the harsh Australian weather.
• Environment friendly: The very idea of doing your own compost is itself a environmentally friendly idea. Look for responsible manufacturers who use recycled material to manufacture the composter. Don’t take short cuts by using a general plastic or metal bin that is not made specifically for composting as they break down and may leak harmful toxins or chemicals in the long run.
• Easy to use: Spend a bit more and get yourself something that is easy to use. Compost bins when full may tend to be heavy, so chose wisely. There are models that you simply unhook and roll over to the application area, like the Hozelock Composter.
• Effective: Follow the good practices of composting, and with a good composter, like the Hozelock Composter bin, you will never go wrong. The Hozelock composter bin has even been designed to capture the excessive liquids that drain from the compost, that your plants love, which can then be used along with plant watering with the inbuilt ‘click & spray’ system.