Veolia's guide to home composting

• Choose a compost bin that fits in your available space and put it in a sunny or semi-shaded position, directly on soil or turf, and away from water courses.

• Place the bin on a soft surface to allow good drainage of excess water, and to help the worms to get in and break down the content.

• If you can only put your compost bin on a hard surface, such as concrete, put some twigs, leaves or existing compost under it.

• Make sure you add the right ‘ingredients’.

• Keep a fine 50/50 balance between the ‘greens’, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, soft prunings, and the ‘browns’, which include autumn leaves, cardboard and egg boxes.

• Every few weeks, give your compost a turn with a pitch fork, to aerate it and mix up the contents. 

• This will also allow enough time for them to heat up, leading to faster composting.

• It can take between nine and twelve months for your compost to be ready.

• In the spring/summer period there will be more ‘greens’ to use, while in autumn/winter time you will have lots of ‘browns’ available, so you can start composting any time of the year.

• Compost is good to be used when it has a dark brown colour, an earthy, fresh smell, and a crumbly, slightly moist texture.

• Once it's ready, spread this nutrient-rich soil conditioner in your garden, allotment and community space and enjoy watching new flowers, plants or crops grow.