Composting
Composting
A look at the systems that might work for you and at home, and a glimpse of the systems working at Jack's Paddock.
Kitchen Waste
I keep kitchen waste out of the main composting systems to avoid vermin.
designated bin
holes to allow black soldier fly to get in and lay eggs
less vermin
Weed tea
A system to keep weedy plants and weeds in flower from germinating once pulled
ideal for couch grass
perfect for any flowering weeds - cobblers peg, Coat buttons - Tridax procumbens
use as a tonic on soil or plants as a foliar spray
Chop and drop
Simple system where prunings are dropped on the ground and left there.
downside is it's not very effective during the dry season
not easily navigated with out tripping - care where you practice it
Grow your own biomasse - longevity spinach, qld arrowroot
they break down quickly on your soil
Compost tumbler
ideal for lawn clippings on smaller residential blocks
lawn clippings are finely chopped so will break down quickly
add carbon and compost activators (comfrey, yarrow)
add water
two week turn around
Compost storage
In summer, assuming rain, you'll be mowing at least fortnightly.
Rough compost can be finished in this storage bin, while tumbler is churning out compost each fortnight
By autumn, or spring, there's a handy pile ready to top up edible beds
ABCD of Composting
Only four things are needed to make compost effectively:
Water
Oxygen
Carbon (dry plant materials, cardboard, paper)
Nitrogen (green plant materials)
Composting Calculator
The trick is getting the balance correct.
This calculator takes the guesswork away.
Using compost
Always incorporate into your gardens
Perfect for edible beds prior to planting
Feed plants by lighly forking in around them
Friend or foe?
Beetle larvae
Feeds on rotting organic material in your compost heap. FRIEND!
Slater
Slaters break eat organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. FRIEND!
Black soldier fly
Black soldier fly larvae are nature’s number one composters. The adult fly lays eggs, and you can see the larvae in the video above. FRIEND!