Creating a simple compost heap

One of the first jobs when creating a vegetable garden is to create a compost heap. You can buy one but the GardenAdvice team have found over the years that a simple compost heap created from some old pallets which are often free or a couple of pounds each per pallet

Simply nailed together using one as the base, this creates a very effective compost heap. If you are tight for space the pallet can be cut down to fit into a smaller area or an area with an irregular shape.

In the spring to help the composted material break down we often grow a pumpkin or courgette. These plants are removed in the autumn the pumpkin or courgettes harvested just before the compost is used in the vegetable area recycling the nutrients etc.

Composting – it is worth installing a compost heap at the start so you can recycle all the old compost and vegetables etc. We do not recommend using cooked kitchen scraps because of problems with rats and mice. Composting uncook vegetables are OK

The best compost heap are created from old building pallets using tree stakes to hold up the sides

The three keys with compost are, 1. a. handful of Growmore fertilizer for every layer of compost you create 150mm high, 2. keep the compost heap moist. Water in the summer, keep the compost so squeezing a handful will produce two or three drops of water. 3. Keep the compost warm in winter by covering it with old carpets. These three items will keep the bacteria working all year round to quickly produce usable compost.

It is also worth adding some red composting worms to the compost heap ( not the common lobworms found in your garden )