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Composting
Compost is the term given to the natural process through which plant and animal matter is broken down into a rich, dark, soil-like material. The aim of composting is to turn household and garden waste into a sweet-smelling, dark brown, crumbly compost. About one half of your household waste is compostable kitchen and garden rubbish. Composting is an easy way to cheaply return the nutrients of this organic material to the soil. Compost may be used as a soil conditioner, surface mulch or as a fertiliser. It not only adds nutrients to the soil but it also improves soil structure and increases its water-holding capacity and aeration.
Where and How can I Purchase a Composter?
Home Composters are available from the Environment Section at cost price €45.00 (incl delivery).
Payment can be made by 3 easy options:
1.Cash at our Cash Desk (located beside the Planning Section) County Hall, Prospect Hill, Galway.
2.Cheque (made payable to Galway County Council) and post to County Hall, Prospect Hill, Galway.
3.Credit card or Laser card (091-509195).
For any further queries please ring 091-476478 or email mcoyne@galwaycoco.ie
What To Compost:
- Fruit
- Vegetable peelings
- Tea Bags
- Leaves
- Eggshells
- Some grass-cuttings
- Paper & Cardboard
- Vacuum Cleaner bag contents
What Not To Compost:
- Anything inorganic (plastic, metal, etc.)
- Meat, Bones
- Dairy Products
- Cooked Food
- Oil
- Pesticides
Getting Started:
Start off by placing the bin as close to the house as will be practical for ease of use from the kitchen to the bin in winter rain! Place it in an area of bare soil or grass, so that the micro-organisms and worms can get access to the bin and excesss water can drain away. If there is grass on the site, break up the sod by digging over lightly. The bin needs to be in partial shade - not under direct south facing sun all day, but not in the shadiest, coldest part of the garden. Don't put the bin in top of paving or concrete - it won't work!
Put in a layer of coarse garden waste such as leaves or twigs, a little loose soil and some broken pieces of cardboard and maybe some vegetable peels - a good mixture to start off and let nature take it away! Don't be surprised if the contents of the bin heat up or if you see worms or insects - it's all part of the process.
How to use your Compost:
When your compost is well-rotted it will look dark brown/black and when dry will be crumbly. Don't worry too much about small pieces of twigs or egg shells that haven't fully rotted, the garden itself and the worms in the soil will look after these. If you want the compost finer, sieve it in an old fashioned garden sieve or old colander. If you compost is very wet and heavy - don't worry - leave it in plastic bags with holes punched on the bottom in a dry area of the garden. Composting may contiue for a while but the compost will dry out over time. You might like to dry it out in the air on warm dry spring days, laid out on a sheet of plastic before bagging it for use.
Ways to use your Compost:
- To enrich flower and vegetable beds, spread a layer of compost about eight centimetres deep and wither leave it there over winter to break down into the soil or dig it in.
- Compost will give heavy soil a lighter consistency and better drainage. It binds sandy soil, giving a better texture. Spread compost in a heavy layer of about eight to ten centimetres deep.
- For houseplants and potting, mix the compost with equal amounts of garden soil and sand.
- You can make 'compost tea' for houseplants, hanging baskets and window boxes by half filling a bucket with compost. Fill it up with water, stir well and leave to settle. Use the liquid to water plants as a feed. Alternatively, you may soak a cloth bag of compost overnight in a bucket and then there is no need to worry about 'bits' in the watering can.
- Use sieved compost mixed with sand as a seed-starting mix or as a lawn top-dressing.
- Compost makes a good mulch or top-dressing for flower beds and shrub borders and hedges. Sprinkle on the soil when it is warm and wet and it will conserve water in the soil and prevent weeds, as well as feeding plants.
- Use when planting trees or shrubs by mixing a bucketful with the soil at the bottom of the planting hole.
- Why not make your own grow-bag with a plastic bag.
- Compost may be stored in bags for future use.
- The soil under the compost bin will become extremely rich - you can dig it out every couple of years and replace it with poor soil.
- The best time to use compost is in the spring and summer or just before planting. Unlike manure it does not 'burn' young or delicate plants.
- Avoid using compost on herbs as they prefer a poor soil or on newly planted bedding plants as it encourage too much leaf and not enough flowers. For these areas, dig in the compost the previous winter.
Compost Queries:
If you have any composting queries or if you would like to organise a composting seminar in your Community please contact Mark Molloy, Assistant Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway County Council, 091-476485 or mkmolloy@galwaycoco.ie
How to Mix your Compost:
Please see the information leaflet below:
Spiral Composter Mixer
(pdf, 81 kbs, Last Updated: )
Frequently Asked Questions
(doc, 28 kbs, Last Updated: )
STOP FOOD WASTE
click below for advice on food waste prevention and composting of organic matter
