Compost
Make your own compost with a compost heap or barrel or bin. You'll get rid of green waste (such as lawn clippings, leaves and coffee grounds) that would otherwise end up in landfill and help your garden at the same time. There are lots of websites which provide instructions about establishing and maintaining a compost heap. There is some science to it but it's not very difficult. For tips on creating compost read the information from Brisbane City Council. Tumbling compost barrels provide the quickest results but aren't the cheapest option.
Brisbane City Council also runs a suburban kerbside compost program, where you can leave out your garden cuttings for collection. You'll get a free bag of compost in return. Check the council website or call 07 3403 8888 for details for your area.
Worm farms
Even if you don't use the products on your garden very often, worm farms are excellent. The benefits include less organic waste in your bin and end-products which will help you achieve fertile soil and a healthy garden.
Setting up and maintaining a worm farm is easy. Manufactured worm farms (and boxes of worms) can be bought from major hardware stores or nurseries. There will be set-up instructions with the farm. You can't just catch a couple of worms from your garden and put them in the worm farm. You'll need the right type of worm and generally start with 1000 worms (approximately!). Called Tiger or Red worms, they are best bought from a nursery or hardware store. Amazingly, you can also buy them online and they'll be sent to you in the post.
You can make a worm farm out of polystyrene boxes or other simple materials. The NSW Dept of Environment and Climate Change gives you some basic instructions.
A worm farm doesn't get smelly and only needs the maintenance of feeding the worms with fruit and vegetable scraps. What you'll get in return is rich casting material, perfect for improving soil quality, and liquid which becomes fertiliser.
Take a look at our guide to soil types across Brisbane.
A note for your diaries, the 2009 International Compost Awareness Week is 3-9 May 2009.
Got any cheap and easy composting or worm farm tips? Add your comments below.
