While lots of Brits will be starting their vegetable patches and planting pretty flowers, it’s also worth knowing the things you can compost to help your garden this spring and summer.
Whether you maintained your compost heap through winter or are looking to start one now just in time for summer, it can be easy to feel limited but there are many more options than just vegetable peel and eggshells.
Garden expert and director at Dino Decking, Richard King, has offered advice on how to make the most of your waste by revealing seven unusual things you can compost that your garden will thank you for – let’s take a look.
“Compost heaps are great for the soil, feeding plants rich nutrients and are a great way to give back to nature. By composting these often-overlooked materials, you’re reducing waste while enriching your soil with diverse nutrients.”
7 unexpected things you can add to your compost
Bread and pastries
Plain bread, cracker crumbs and even stale mince pies can be composted as long as they aren’t covered in butter or dairy.
Baked goods are carbon-rich ‘browns’ that balance out the ‘greens’ from fruit and veg scraps, helping to maintain a healthy, diverse compost mix, Richard explains.
Hairballs
While it might sound a bit strange, both pet animal and human hair are great for composting because hair is rich in nitrogen which helps the other materials break down faster and contributes to a fertile final product.
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Hair can also help aerate compost piles but too much might clump together in large amounts and can actually slow decomposition.
You can try mixing the hair with dry materials like straw to integrate it more efficiently.
Feathers
Feathers are similar to hair when it comes to composting. Bird feathers are a fantastic nitrogen source for compost piles, adding protein and enriching the soil’s organic matter.
However, they can take a long time to break down so breaking them up into smaller pieces can help them to decompose and contribute to a healthy, diverse compost, Richard explains.
Cotton and linen fabric
Surprisingly, cotton and linen materials can be composted but they must be free from dyes, synthetic blends and buttons or zippers. These natural fibres decompose similarly to plant-based materials.
They’re made up of natural fibres and release organic matter back into the soil as they decompose. To help boost the decomposition process, cut them up into small pieces before adding them to the pile.
Richard continues: “Pure cotton and linen fabrics are rich in carbon, making them an excellent ‘brown’ material for balancing the nitrogen-heavy ‘greens’ in a compost pile. However, make sure to avoid heavily dyed fabrics, or you risk introducing toxins into your compost.”
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Corks
After enjoying a glass of wine, you can toss the cork onto the compost pile to contribute to a biodiverse compost.
Natural cork that is derived from tree bark is biodegradable so it’s perfect for your compost. However, cork does break down slowly due to its density so make sure to chop or grind it up before adding it in.
Old sponges (natural fibre)
Instead of chucking away old sponges, you can chop them up and add them to your compost.
Provided they are made from natural sources such as loofah or cellulose, they are great for balancing the nitrogen-rich materials and absorbing water keeping the compost nice and damp for microbial activity.
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Synthetic kitchen sponges, however, should never be composted as they can add toxins to the compost.
Fireplace ashes
As long as the wood is natural and untreated, ash from a fireplace is a great addition to a compost heap. It’s a good source of potassium and calcium which can be very beneficial for a thriving compost heap.
However, make sure to use it sparingly as too much ash can increase alkalinity, making the compost less suitable for plants that prefer acidic soil such as Azaleas, Rhododendrons and blueberries.
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