Make your own composter and start composting

Get composting with this simple do-it-yourself project.
Gather Together:
- 4 treated wattle panels (you can also use chicken wire fencing or sheets of corrugated iron or plastic)
- 4 plastic coated metals fence droppers (wooden ones will do)
- Cable ties
- Newspaper
- Straw
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Compost activator (there are various ones to choose from)
- Shredder for small branches
The Process:
- Choose a level area that is easily accessible and where the composter can remain for a while. You don’t want to have to move it.
- Knock a fence dropper into the ground to a depth of around 300mm.
- Attach one of the panels to the pole using cable ties.
- Continue knocking in the fence droppers and tying the panels to the poles to form a square, leaving the last one untied for access.
- Cut off the excess fence dropper sticking out at the top of the panels.
- Start your compost with a layer of shredded newspaper, then a layer of straw, grass clippings and leaves.
- Add compost activator to the mix.
- You can now add kitchen waste and garden prunings.
- To make life easier, put small branches through a shredder.
- Turn the compost every 4-6 weeks. Your compost should be ready to use after eight weeks, depending on conditions.