Certainly Wood's Secret To The Perfect Compost

Composting is a natural process of which you recycle organic matter, such as food waste and grass clippings. Anything that grows, does eventually decompose and composting simply speeds this process up by providing the perfect environment and eco system for decomposing organisms like nematodes and worms as well as bacteria and fungi. The end product, which often ends up looking like soil, is now rich in nutrients and can be used in various means, for example fertilizer. 

Everyone is aware of the term composting. However, what many do not know is how vital and beneficial this process is to the environment. 

The process of composting is an amazing way to recycle the organic waste we generate in our homes. According to Business Waste's Website, the UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year – even though 8.4 million people in the UK are in food poverty. [1] Not only is food waste a significant burden on the environment and society, but processing waste can be costly. In the financial year of 2020/2021, the UK spent a whopping 9.13 billion pounds of waste management, this number only increasing year on year. [2] Composting at home allows the individual to divert a percentage of that waste from overflowing landfills and turn it into something beneficial and practical in our gardens.

Did you know that the average UK household throws away approximately £250-£400 worth of food a year? [3] This staggering statistic highlights the need for an alternative method for discarding food and composting is the perfect solution for it. In doing so, you are not only reducing your wastage but also providing an environment for an entirely new eco system!  So instead of tossing your waste in the bin, why not re consider and pop it in the compost bin?

When the local bin ben remove the waste from your black bins, have you ever lent a thought to where it all goes to?

After collection, your waste will lie stagnant in landfill sites, heaped up to great extents. To facilitate the decaying process, the waste needs access to oxygen. However in these landfill conditions, the vital component of oxygen cannot reach the waste, meaning that they decaying process will take much longer than needed. As well as this, landfill materials also release greenhouse gasses, which nonetheless contributes to climate change. During the various processes of the landfill sites (like incineration), many harmful gasses and by products will be released, such as carbon dioxide, methane and toxic ashes.

Release your inner David Attenborough and help provide animals with a healthy habitat. Did you know compost heaps are the perfect environment for minibeasts, like worms, micro organisms, centipedes, beetles and fungi. By simply discarding your organic waste in the compost bin, you are providing the nutrients all animals and micro-organisms need to survive. The larger mini beats (macro-organisms) will physically break down the organic material to then excrete it, this making it easier for microorganisms to digest. This in term means that all living organisms will benefit and thrive, just because you chose smart, and composted. 

Not only does the process of composting save you money, whilst helping the environment there are multiple personal benefits of why you should start composting. The main one we will discuss is the benefits to your soil. Using organic content in your soil will boost fertility and help plants and flowers build up resistance to disease and insect attack. This not only improving the longevity of your plants, but also reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and repellents. Using less chemicals and more organic material in your soil, will increase its nutrient content and water retention. Healthy soil means a healthy garden. Composting is the cheapest and most effective way of achieving so.

It's Wood Ash!

As a result of the low moisture content in our kiln dried logs, you should not have a lot of ash build up. However, if you regularly light your wood burner, there is bound to be some and getting rid of it can be quite a nuisance. What many do not realise is that ash from your wood burner is a great compost component and will not only increase your composts nutrients but also encourage flowering and fruiting.

Wood ash is naturally high in potassium, phosphorus and a catalogue of micro nutrients, including iron and zinc. All of these being beneficial for your soil. Hardwoods in particular are richer in nutrients and contain more beneficial properties than softwoods. 

Also, being an alkaline, wood ash can help make compost less acidic, meaning that more liveable conditions can be created. This is important as creating a perfect living environment for creatures like worms and beetles is vital for faster decomposition. [4][5]

Certainly Wood's Tips & Tricks:

• Do not use ash from coal as it could potentially be harmful to soil and compost
• Add wood ash in thin layers. The perfect amount would be 15cm every six inches.
• Avoid using too much wood ash because an excess in alkalinity
• Avoid putting wood ash around acid-loving plants like blueberries
• Test your compost's and soil's pH once a year to ensure it doesn't go above 7.5 or under 5.5

[1] The UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year – even though 8.4 million people in the UK are in food poverty:

You can find it here:  https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/food-waste-2022-the-facts/#:~:text=Food%20waste%20facts.&text=The%20UK%20throws%20away%20around,UK%20are%20in%20food%20poverty (08/03/22)

[2] In the financial year of 2020/2021, the UK spent a whopping 9.13 billion pounds of waste management:

You can find it here: https://www.statista.com/statistics/298889/united-kingdom-uk-public-sector-expenditure-fuel-waste-management/ (08/03/22)

[3]UK household throws away approximately £250-£400 worth of food a year:

You can find it here: https://www.cheaperwaste.co.uk/blog/food-waste-the-complete-2020-guide/#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%2C%206.7%20million,400%20per%20household%20per%20year. (08/03/22)

[4] Wood ash in your compost:

You can find it here: https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/improve-your-soil-using-wood-ash/ (09/03/22)

[5]Wood ash in your compost:

You can find it here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/wood-ash-using-in-garden (09/03/22)