How can composting benefit my garden?
Composting is the process of creating compost from decomposing organic materials. Compost is extremely valuable to your garden, as it’s rich in nutrients and organisms that promote healthy, fertile soil.
Garden waste and food scraps are the key components of good compost, making composting an effective way to reduce landfill waste. Compostable waste is split into two categories: ‘brown’ waste which is rich in carbon and slow to rot, and ‘green waste’ which is rich in nitrogen and quick to rot. Brown waste includes woody materials such as stalks, paper and wood chips, while green waste covers items such as fruit and vegetable peels, leaves and grass.
How does composting promote sustainable living?
Because composting utilises garden and food waste products that would usually end up being sent to landfill, it’s just one of many great ways to live more sustainably. Not only does composting help to reduce landfill waste, but it also creates healthy, nutrient-rich soil that will help your garden thrive.
How can I start composting?
Compost heaps were once the main method of composting. They remain popular as they are easy to access and maintain. Simply select an area of soil that sits in a sunny or partially shaded area of the garden and begin adding waste to your compost heap. You can include items such as stale bread, coffee grounds, tea bags, crushed eggshells, fruits and vegetables (peels, cores and even whole items that are past their best), and cardboard – as a rule, any household waste that breaks down naturally is suitable for composting.
Compost bins are now a popular choice for keen composters, as they look tidier and have the benefit of being portable. As part of The Ashfield Partnership’s commitment to sustainability, we offer all of our new homes a free compost bin.
The Ashfield Partnership comprises The Ashfield Estate and three local housebuilders, who all share the same commitment to promoting sustainability. It’s our belief that, when creating new communities, the responsibility falls to us to empower residents to make positive choices that support a sustainable lifestyle.
