Tips For Composting In the Summer Months

Composting is essential for any keen organic gardener. As long as you follow the basic guidelines for creating compost, you can create your own supply of this valuable commodity to enrich your soil and take care of waste from the house and garden. In the summer you will usually find that your compost pile grows quickly with garden clippings and lawn trimmings etc.. But you will have to take care of your compost to make sure that it does break everything down in the right way. Here are a few tips to help you keep on top of your compost heap during the summer months:

Keep The Compost Moist (But Not Waterlogged) All Summer

The UK summer can throw up some surprises when it comes to the amount of precipitation. Whether you have too much rain, or too little, neither will be good for an untended compost heap. Ideally, a compost should be moist but not too wet – think wrung out sponge. If it is very dry then you should simply make sure that each layer that you add is watered down so it is damp. If you have too much rain and things get quite extreme then you can consider covering your compost, to keep off the rain. Though obviously if you do cover your compost then you will have to make sure it stays moist.

Turn Compost Regularly To Keep It Mixed and Aerated

Turning your compost will allow it to remain aerated and will prevent the nasty smells attendant to anaerobic decomposition. If you turn your compost every couple of weeks, the compost will be ready sooner and will not turn sludgy and stinky. A compost tumbler is especially good at keeping the mix aerated and will result in a good compost more quickly than an ordinary bin or heap.

Remember To Make Thin Layers of Brown and Green (Especially when it comes to cut grass.)

Layering is a good way to ensure that you get a compost with a good mix of carbon and nitrogen rich items. Adding compost in thinner, alternating layers is more important in the summer months as you are likely to have nitrogen rich gluts in the form of cut grass. This cut grass, if added to the compost heap in one big clump without other things, can end up a slimy mess. Keep adding grass clippings but make sure you add brown layers of cardboard etc. in between. That way you can be sure to get a great compost at the end of the season.