Havering Friends of the Earth

Benefits of Composting

by Peter Caton; first published 23-Sep-2022

Compost heap - Peter Caton

I'm quite fond of my compost heap. It sits quietly at the bottom of the garden, slowly decomposing all of our grass cuttings, weeds and trimmings and turning them into fine compost that fertilises our fruit bushes.

Mine may not be the best looking compost heap but it's very useful. There's no need to put out garden waste for collection, or take it to the tip, and there's no need to buy compost or fertiliser - we make our own. There's a financial benefit and environmental benefits - and we get big fat juicy raspberries too.

Our compost heap is - well a heap - but there are neater and probably more efficient options. Compost bins are available in a range of shapes and sizes, many with a lid that helps keep the temperature up and accelerates the rate of decomposition. Some are plastic, some made from wood. Obviously latter is environmentally preferable.

Over many years of applying compost the quality of soil in our garden has improved hugely. It's easier to work, something that's particularly relevant in Havering where we have such heavy clay. Compost enables soil to hold more water but also assists it to drain better, encouraging plant growth and reducing the need for watering. Not only is the soil's structure improved, but it gains the nutritional benefit both from the compost itself and the microbes which it introduces that help break down the nutrients enabling plants to absorb them.

So the garden benefits but so does the environment. We're putting carbon back into the soil in a natural process - so much better than using fossil fuels to transport garden waste and it often ending up in land fill. We're not buying composts and fertilisers, often wrapped in plastic, that have contributed carbon emissions in their manufacture and shipping, we're making our own.

I would encourage everyone with a garden to consider setting up a compost heap or bin. It's not difficult. All a compost heap asks for is for a bit of water every so often in summer to hasten the composting process, to be regularly topped up with a mix of organic material and perhaps to be turned occasionally. In return and absolutely free of charge, it will turn all those grass cuttings and weeds into compost that improves your soil and helps your plants to thrive.