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Compost Awareness Week 2008 has arrived, and with it, the shocking statistic that 20 per cent of the UK's household waste is made up of garden materials. This may come as a surprise, but if they end up in landfill, they can create harmful greenhouse gases. We've had a chat with green gardening queen Charlie Dimmock about how compost can help combat climate change, how to make the perfect compost -- our bin is dysfunctional -- and more.
SmartPlanet: WRAP tells us compost can help combat climate change. What do you think? Can compost save the world?
Charlie Dimmock: Well, I wouldn't exactly say it can save the world (laughs). But what happens when people don't compost their garden waste and peelings and just chuck it in their normal waste bin, is that it'll go into landfill. And the problem with green waste going into landfill is that it rots down anaerobically because it is covered. That produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas that's ten times worse than carbon dioxide. So by not putting green waste into landfill you stop the production of methane and it means the landfill can be used for something that won't rot down.
SP: Why doesn't this happen when we compost?
CD: When we compost it, there's oxygen and it rots down in a much more natural way, which doesn't produce methane. Even if you don't have a compost bin, but you can put out your green waste for the council to collect; do do that as they'll compost it for you. That compost goes to making peat-free potting compost -- and you can buy your own rubbish back (laughs) -- or you can go down to the local recycling centre to get it, which is normally very reasonable.
SP: How do we make a perfect compost? Ours always gets too sludgy…
CD: Well, if it gets all sludgy it means there's too much 'green' in there. Composting [stuff] goes into two different groups: We've got what we call our 'greens', which are things like grass, leaves, vegetables peelings and fruits, which are quite wet. If you just put that in and haven't got enough of what we call 'browns', which tends to be twiggy bits, teabags, scrunched up newspaper, shredded bank statements, egg boxes, coffee grounds and egg shells. That and any weeds with soil will stop the compost being slimy. You need to scrunch it all up, though. And put your compost bin somewhere that's warm. A lot of people end up putting it in the dull corner, which really doesn't help either. Also, it's a good idea to put a cover on it, which will keep the worst rain off and stop it from being even slimier.
SP: What are your favourite green gardening tips?
CD: Definitely compost! It stops the production of methane for one. Two, you end up with this wonderful product that goes back onto the garden and it makes the soil much richer. It makes it drain in the winter and it also holds onto the moisture in the summer. So definitely do compost.
Try not to use chemicals. The problem with using insecticides and other chemicals is that it doesn't just kill off the bad things, it'll also kill off the beneficial insects like ladybirds that are predatory on other insects. So try not to use chemicals because by getting a balance it will naturally balance up [your garden].
And try to encourage as much wildlife into your garden as possible. If you hang your birdfeeders up in your fruit-trees, the birds -- while they're queuing up for the birdfeeder -- will also pick over the bark, where aphids live in the winter months and the birds will kill them off. So the more birds, butterflies and hedgehogs you can encourage into your garden, the more balance you'll get.
And the last thing is to use peat-free compost, which from my point of view is mainly useful because it's double recycled. When the council picks up your garden waste you'll get rid of it, they compost it, you can use it again and none of it will end up in landfill.
SP: Do you have a message for reluctant gardeners?
CD: Most people are just nervous and the best thing is just to get out there and not to take on too much at once. It's a very satisfying, relaxing pastime -- so give it a go, just don't try and do everything in one weekend.
SP: Do you have a favourite plant, flower or vegetable?
CD: No, that's just impossible. But I have to say that growing your own veggies is just so satisfying. If you asked me to recommend a vegetable to grow, I would say definitely try and grow a tomato -- because there's just something about growing your own fresh tomatoes. They don't smell or taste anything like the ones you buy.
SP: You became famous for bra-free gardening on BBC's Ground Force programme -- is it just better to garden with no bra on?
CD: Oh, I just think you should garden however you feel the most comfortable.
For more information on Compost Awareness Week, visit WRAP's website.
Charlie Dimmock in her wheelbarrow
Charlie Dimmock tells us how to make the perfect compost
07 May 2008 11:32am
Composting is also ideal protection against ID theft - if you shred important documents and then compost them, they're never going to fall into the wrong hands!
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Head over to our My Planet section to win lovely ethical and green prizes. If you're a SmartPlanet member, entering a competition takes just two clicks.
