Get Composting this Autumn

With autumn once again upon us, it`s time to think about tidying up the garden and preparing the soil for the spring. The traditional picture of autumn gardening is of a smoky bonfire that pollutes the atmosphere. However a much more environmentally-friendly approach is to compost your green garden waste.

Home composting not only helps to significantly reduce carbon emissions, it is also an effective and sustainable method to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. When it comes to global warming, composting directly reduces carbon dioxide and other powerful greenhouse gases. Many people believe that throwing food scraps and paper products into a landfill is harmless because the materials biodegrade. However, most people are surprised to learn that when these materials break down in a landfill they rot anaerobically (without oxygen) and produce methane, a greenhouse gas that is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

To encourage households to home compost Cumbria County Council in partnership with getcomposting.com are offering reduced price compost bins, from little as £8 (RRP £39) plus £5 delivery

The wet summer has encouraged plant growth and created an abundance of garden pruning`s, spent bedding plants and grass cuttings, which could all be recycled over the coming months to produce a nutrient rich free supply of compost.

It`s important to have a good mixture of materials if you want to make good quality compost. As well as green garden waste, you can compost fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, tea bags, pet hair, and even shredded paper. Try to aim for a 50/50 mix of `greens` (vegetable peelings, old flowers, grass cuttings, spent bedding plants) and `browns` (garden pruning`s, coffee grounds, tissues and paper napkins, cardboard, vacuum cleaner dust).

Plants grown in soil that is enriched with compost have stronger, healthier roots and leaves making them far less prone to pests and diseases. You will also get tastier fruit and vegetables and more robust vibrant flowers, trees and plants all without the need for chemical fertilizers.

One of the biggest advantages of using compost as a soil improver is that it can be added all year round and is incredibly easy to apply and use. At this time of the year you may be thinking about potting up your containers with bulbs for a splash of colour in the spring. Remember to add about a third of garden compost to your soil. This will provide nutrients and will help retain water.

To order your compost bin call (0844 571 4444) or visit online at www.getcomposting.com

A variety of sizes and composting accessories are also available at special offer prices exclusive to your council.