What are the most common materials that are mistakenly added to compost?
The question really should be, ‘What are the most common materials mistakenly left out of compost?’ Anything organic, that was once living, can be composted. This includes eggshells, onion skins, orange peels and bones. It also includes cotton socks and underwear, paper towels, shredded paper and bamboo disposable plates – the list is surprisingly long.
Some take longer to break down than others, so the method used to compost these may vary, but they can all be added to the ordinary black compost bin.
The key thing to leave out is plastic – always take the old vegetables from the bottom of your fridge out of the plastic bag before adding them to the compost.
Lastly, what’s the best way to make DIY fertilizer?
With great soil there is almost no need of fertiliser at all. Feed the soil, and the soil will feed the plants. If your plants look like they need a good feed, give them some compost via the soil.
However, we can all do with a bit of a boost and a very effective way of giving plants a quick boost is by giving them a liquid feed.
This can be made easily at home using the weeds you have pulled out of the garden. Weeds are proficient at extracting minerals from soil that other plants cannot access. By turning them into a liquid fertiliser you are giving your plants that mineral boost they need.
Healthy Soils with Kate Wall – Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Saturday 20 November
Admission is free but registration is essential – follow the links to secure your place.
For more information and to register for Sustainable Ipswich Month events, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability
Sustainable Ipswich Month is delivered through the support of the following partners:
Ipswich Libraries, Council’s Habitat Gardens Program, Ipswich Waste Services, Ipswich Nurseries, Council’s Active Kids Program, and Garage Sale Trail.
Read more:
>>> Council-first interactive program revealed for Sustainable Ipswich Month
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