Compost Week UK

Top tips and resources for creating your own compost.

12 March 2023

Have you always been curious about making your own compost but aren’t sure where to start? This Compost Week (13-19 March) is the perfect time to begin your composting journey. A fun way to get your hands muddy, composting supports pupils to develop their scientific understanding of decomposition and how to reuse natural materials in the garden. We’ve collated our top resources to help you learn how to build a compost bin that’s safe for the school garden, what can and can’t be composted and how to use your compost once it’s ready.

But first, what is compost?

Composting refers to the process of natural waste decomposing to become a source of organic matter that can be put back into your garden. Packed with rich nutrients, your homemade compost will improve your soil and help to conserve moisture, giving your plants the boost they need to thrive. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle and cut down on the cost of buying compost from the garden centre.

Getting started

There are a number of ways you can create your own compost bin. A wide range of containers are available to purchase from garden centres or homeware stores, or you can contact your Local Authority to see if they have any available for a small fee. If you’re looking to upcycle, old wood and pallets can also be used to make a container. We recommend you have three containers in total, allowing you to turn your compost from one bin to another, adding oxygen into the compost to support the breakdown process.

Top tips for composting 

• Start with a small volume of compost
• Ensure the ground below allows drainage and air movement - use wooden pallets, cardboard boxes and terracotta pots
• Add shredded paper to maintain moisture
• Add worms! Find some from your garden and introduce them to the compost. If you maintain good moisture and partial shade, worms will naturally find your compost and partial shade for your composting will be a benefit
• Stick to kitchen and garden waste – don't add bones, egg shells or animal faeces to your compost
• Be patient - composting takes time!
• Use 25-30% of your own compost when preparing a potting/germination mix
• Be sure to wash your hands after handling compost

Explore more top tips for composting.

What to put in your compost bin

Most natural material will make a great addition to your compost bin, but there a few golden rules to help keep yours happy. Stick to green and brown waste, avoiding adding any plants or weeds that have fleshy roots as these may continue to grow in your bin. We suggest having an even mix of greens (leafy plants, grass and kitchen waste) and browns (wood chips, paper and hedge clippings) in your compost bins at all times, as these will help keep a good moisture balance. Garden compost typically takes between six months to two years to reach maturity - you can help speed up the process by cutting your materials into smaller pieces before adding it to your bin.

Using your compost

Creating your own compost requires patience, but once ready, your garden will reap the rewards. You can assess whether your compost is ready by seeing how broken down the material in it is - it should be dark brown and have a crumbly texture. If you can still see a few plants or food materials in there that have yet to break down, leave it a little longer. Your compost can be used in the garden as mulch around plants or to dig into the soil to add extra nutrients.

Why make your own compost?

• Compost naturally has a good amount of nutrients, microbes and biologically active materials 
• Using your own compost is cheaper as you don't need to rely on garden centres
• It reduces the amount going into landfills
• Compost benefits the microbial community in your green space
• It reduces the amount of peat being taken from the earth - if all gardeners made their own compost, around 60-65% of total peat used in the country would be freed up!

Ten compost resources for schools

1. Composting for schools

Learn more about compost bins and how to use them effectively.

Compost for schools
 

2. The great compost game

Looking to explore what can and can't be added to your bin? Play 'the great compost game' with your pupils and create a list of go-to composting materials.

Compost game
 

3. Mini rot pot

Make your own mini bottle composter to observe the composting process first-hand.

Worms up close

7. Classroom compost poster

Design a classroom poster to review learning about composting.

Compost poster

8. Who lives in a place like this

Explore which creatures are found in the compost heap and their role in the composting process.

Compost creatures
 

9. Composting life cycle

Learn the different stages of a plant's life cycle and the cyclical nature of composting.

Share your composting experiences

Have you got some top composting tips or a story about creating your own in a creative way? Get in touch with us at schoolgardening@rhs.org.uk to share your story and help other school gardeners get inspired.