Compost Bins

There is no fixed composting time. How quickly material breaks down depends on factors including what you add, the balance of materials, moisture, aeration, temperature and how regularly the compost is managed. Finished compost should be dark and crumbly with an earthy smell.

Not necessarily. Many wooden compost bins have an open design that allows easy access for adding and turning material. Other designs may include a lid to provide greater coverage. Check the individual product design and consider how you intend to manage your compost when choosing between them.

Turning compost can introduce oxygen and mix the different materials, helping create suitable conditions for decomposition. How frequently this is required will depend on your composting method and the materials inside the bin.

Some garden weeds can be composted, but care should be taken with weeds that have gone to seed and persistent or invasive varieties. Home composting conditions may not always reach temperatures high enough to destroy seeds or problematic plant material.