Composting

 

FREE COMPOSTING & WORMFARMING WORKSHOPS

Did you know almost 50% of what goes into your rubbish bin is organic waste that could be recycled? Recycling your organic waste, such as food scraps and garden materials, can dramatically reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Hurstville City Council is offering free, hands on workshops on composting and wormfarming for residents of the Hurstville Local Government Area. These workshops are designed to give residents the knowledge and skills to set up your own compost bin or worm farm and maintain it effectively. 

Dates and times for the workshops are below. Bookings are essential and places are limited.

Tuesday 22nd May 2012   6.00pm - 8.00pm  Composting

Saturday 26th May 2012   2.00pm - 4.00pm    Composting & Worm Farming

Thursday 7th June 2012   6.00pm - 8.00pm   Worm Farming

Saturday 16th June 2012   2.00pm - 4.00pm   Composting & Worm Farming

Thursday 21st June 2012   6.00pm - 8.00pm   Composting

Wednesday 4th July 2012   10.00am - 12.00noon   Composting & Worm Farming For Kids**

Wednesday 11th July 2012   10.00am - 12.00noon   Composting & Worm Forming For Kids**

** These workshops are aimed specifically for children between the ages of 6 to 12.

All workshops will be held at the Hurstville City Council Civic Centre in MacMahon Street, Hurstville. Light refreshments will be provided and Council will be giving away free compost bins, worm farms or bokashi buckets to participants.

Proof that you reside in the Hurstville local government area is required (e.g. rates notice, drivers licence, telephone bill with your home address).

Please contact Customer Service on 9330 6222 or hccmail@hurstville.nsw.gov.au to make a booking.

 

Waste that can be composted includes:

  • fruit and vegetables
  • soiled newspapers
  • grass clippings, garden prunings, leaves, twigs, weeds, dead flowers, old potting mix
  • egg shells, tea bags, small amounts of cooking oil
  • animal and human hair, vacuum cleaner dust, cotton rags.

Some foods cannot be composted because they don’t break down easily. They will make your compost smell and attract unwanted guests, including mice and rats.

Waste that cannot be composted includes:

  • meat
  • seafood
  • dairy products.
Buying a compost bin

A range of compost bins are available from nurseries, hardware stores and major department stores. Council also has compost bins available for purchase. People who attend Council’s EnviroWorks course will receive a free compost bin.

Easy composting steps

1. Choose a site
Find a well-drained, sunny position in your garden. Start the compost heap with some large twigs and branches directly on soil, to allow aeration and drainage.

2. Get the balance right
Good compost needs a mix of materials that are nitrogen rich (kitchen scraps, fresh lawn clippings) and nitrogen poor (dry leaves, twigs, paper and straw), along with some water, soil or completed compost to introduce essential micro-organisms.

3. Layer
Start the compost heap with a thick layer of coarse waste such as twigs, to allow air to circulate. Add layers of wet and dry materials. Always cover wet layers with dry layers. Keep the compost damp by watering. A hessian sack laid over the compost will maintain the optimum moisture level and reduce odour. Ask your local grocer if they have one to spare or use an old cotton t-shirt.

4. Maintain
To ensure compost does not smell, add air every one to two weeks by turning it with a garden fork or compost turning tool. Do not turn the compost if it is hot or if there is grey webbing similar to spider webs present – this indicates germ killing bacteria is working to make your compost healthy again.

5. Use
Compost can be used in potting mixes, as a natural fertiliser or as a growth medium for an organic, no-dig garden. Your plants will look healthier and your vegetables will taste better.

More information

pdf icon Easy Guide to Composting (1.22MB)

pdf icon Easy Guide to Composting - Chinese (2.22MB)

 

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