COMPOST MAKING FOR BEGINNERS

WITH IAN WATT AT PERTH COMMUNITY FARM

If there's one easy, cheap thing you can do to live more sustainably and reduce your impact on the environment it's using some of the stuff you're currently throwing "out" to make compost...

This class will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to get started. You'll be able to see different stages of the process and get plenty of hands-on experience. FARM TOUR We'll have a look round the whole farm and see how composting fits in with the bigger picture of growing food and looking after a garden.

WHY COMPOST?

REDUCE WASTE: You'll be amazed just how much you can reduce your waste... you can put a lot of your paper and cardboard waste into your compost as well as veg peelings, spoiled fruit and veg, garden waste, grass clippings etc etc. We'll explain how to mix everything and chat a bit about the things you can't put into a traditional composter, (eg bread, cheese, cooked food, meat).

SAVE MONEY: At the end of the process, for not much expense or effort, you'll end up with a valuable material and save on all the travel and packaging involved in buying compost in (we still buy some though - we'll think about the different types available and why we still buy some).

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

Not much... just a few bays and bins. We'll have a good look at the farm's compost bays - there's four sections all at different stages in the process. We'll have a good rake through the contents so you can really see what's going on. I'll show you the basic tools you need if you want to make bays yourself. We'll mention various containers you can buy and more advanced equipment too, compost turners, different systems and wormeries etc.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN A COMPOST HEAP?

It's helpful to understand the basics of what's going on, so I'll explain about the carbon, nitrogen, air, water mix and about aerobic/anaerobic activity, bacteria, fungi, worms, bugs etc etc. Also about the difference between meadow soil and woodland soil, and how animals fit into the whole thing - it's all a fascinating window into a whole range of interlinked natural processes. It's basically simple though! and you don't have to be technical about it all to get started.

WHAT MANAGEMENT DOES YOUR COMPOST HEAP NEED?

We'll cover turning, covering and watering etc, also some of the possible problems.

DIRECTIONS TO PERTH COMMUNITY FARM

Take the track down from Jeanfield Road between houses number 29 and 27, through the gates that lead to the cemetery - small sign says "Commonwealth War Graves". Then take another track through the first gates on your left, sign to Perth Community Farm. We'll be in the big polytunnel right at the far end of that track. You can park down towards the tunnel, or there's some space just inside the gates.

FOOD & DRINK

There's no cooking facilities at the farm so please bring whatever food and drink you need with you. We'll take a break half way through the class.

CLOTHING

Bring plenty of layers in case of variable weather, outdoor shoes recommended too, and if you're lucky enough to have long hair a tie back is good for safety.

TOILETS

There's a basic toilet portacabin on the farm site.

That's it! Have a great day, Ian

CONTACT IAN: 07450 332 430 or email me back.