Garden – Mummy's Musings…

Don’t mind getting your hands a bit dirty? Then consider composting at home. It’s cheap, easy, good for the environment and something that the husband and kids can get involved with too. Here’s how it works and how to get started.

Why compost at home?

Home composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste, improve soil health and create a more sustainable environment. It is the process of breaking down organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to nourish your plants and gardens. Here are the main reasons for doing that:

Reduces waste: Home composting is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Food scraps and garden waste make up a significant portion of household waste, and by composting it at home, you can divert it from the landfill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Improves soil health: Compost is a rich, nutrient-dense soil amendment that can improve the health of your soil. It helps to retain moisture, promotes healthy root growth and can improve the fertility of your soil.
Saves money: By composting at home, you can reduce your need for chemical fertilisers and save money on gardening expenses. Composting also allows you to recycle kitchen scraps, which can help to reduce your food bill.
Reduces greenhouse gases: When food scraps and yard waste decompose in landfill, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting at home, you can reduce the amount of methane produced and help to combat climate change.
Educational: Composting at home can be a fun and educational activity for families and communities. It is a great way to teach children about the importance of reducing waste and preserving the environment. And it’s easy!

How to compost at home

The first step in home composting is to choose a location for your compost pile or bin. It is best to place it in an area that is convenient for adding and turning the materials, but also protected from heavy rain and strong winds. A sunny location is ideal, as warmth from the sun will help to speed up the decomposition process.

The next step is to gather materials for your compost pile. A good mix of green materials, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps, and brown materials, such as leaves and twigs, will create the best environment for decomposition. You can also add other organic materials such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and paper products. Avoid adding meat, bones, dairy products, or pet waste, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant smells.

Once you have your materials ready, you can begin to build your compost pile. Start by layering the green and brown materials alternately, making sure to add a few inches of soil or finished compost on top. This will help to introduce beneficial microorganisms that will aid in the decomposition process. The pile should be kept damp, but not too wet, and should be turned regularly to provide oxygen and promote decomposition.

The composting process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the materials and conditions. One way to speed up the process is to use a compost bin, which will contain the materials and keep them at a consistent temperature. You can also use a compost accelerator, which contains microorganisms and enzymes that will help to break down the materials quickly. The most natural compost accelerator is free and easy to get hold of – urine!

When your compost is ready, it will have a dark, crumbly texture and a rich, earthy smell. You can use it to enrich your soil, add nutrients to your plants, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

In addition to its environmental benefits, home composting can also be an affordable and easy way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. It can also be a fun and educational activity for families and communities. Dad can help build or buy the compost bin, and the kids can help by regularly adding to it.

However, it’s important to note that home composting may not be suitable or allowed in some areas such as apartment and blocks of flats. If in doubt it’s always best to check with your local authority or council before starting.

Overall, home composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste, improve soil health, and create a more sustainable environment. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can turn your kitchen scraps and garden waste into a valuable resource for your garden and plants. And most of all, it’s a fun activity that will get you, your partner and your kids off the sofa and out into the great outdoors. Enjoy!

Spring is the perfect time to plant bulbs in the UK. There are a wide variety of bulbs that can be planted in the spring, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. Here are 8 of the best bulbs to plant in spring in the UK to get your garden off to a good start this year.

Daffodils

Daffodils, also known as Narcissus, are a popular spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. They are native to Europe and North Africa and are known for their bright yellow and white trumpet-shaped flowers. They are hardy, easy to grow, and come in a wide range of sizes, from dwarf varieties to tall ones. They nature perennials, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late winter to early spring, and they are a reliable sign of the arrival of spring. Daffodils are also deer and rodent resistant. They can be planted in a variety of settings, including gardens, meadows, and naturalised areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are a symbol of new beginnings and hope.

Tulips

Tulips are a popular spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Liliaceae family. They are native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia and are known for their colourful, cup-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, purple, yellow and white. They also come in different flower forms, such as single, double, and fringed. They are easy to grow and they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late spring, and their blooming period can last for several weeks. Tulips are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in gardens, meadows, and as bedding plants. They are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are spring-blooming bulbs that – like tulips – belong to the Liliaceae family. They are known for their fragrant, dense spikes of flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, blue, and white. They are easy to grow and will come back year after year. They typically bloom in early to mid-spring and they are an excellent choice for adding fragrance to gardens and indoor spaces. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as potted plants. Hyacinths are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are resistant to deer and rodents, making them ideal for most gardens.

Crocus

Crocus are a small, spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Iridaceae family. They are known for their brightly coloured, cup-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colours, including purple, yellow, and white. They are one of the first bulbs to bloom in the spring, often pushing through the snow. They are easy to grow and naturalize well, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in early to mid-spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour to gardens and meadow areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as groundcovers. Crocuses are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are also deer and rodent resistant.

Dahlias

Dahlias are a popular flowering plant that belong to the Asteraceae family. They are native to Mexico and Central America and have been cultivated for centuries. They come in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, purple, yellow, and white. They are also available in different flower forms, such as cactus, decorative, ball, and waterlily. They are known for their large, showy blooms that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. They are easy to grow, and they typically bloom from late spring to the first frost of autumn. Dahlias are also a good cut flowers, they are popular in gardens, and they can be used as bedding plants, in containers, or as cut flowers.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are a small, spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. They are known for their small, delicate white flowers that bloom early in the spring, often pushing through the snow. They are hardy, easy to grow, and are perennial flowers, which means they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late winter to early spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour to gardens and naturalized areas. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in rock gardens, borders, and as groundcovers. Snowdrops are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are also deer and rodent resistant. They are also known as ‘Galanthus’, which means “milk flower” in Greek.

Bluebells

Bluebells are a spring-blooming bulb that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. They are native to the UK and are known for their profuse clusters of blue, bell-shaped flowers that are very fragrant. They are hardy, easy to grow and they will come back year after year. They typically bloom in late spring and they are an excellent choice for adding colour and fragrance to gardens and borders. They are also popular as cut flowers, and they are often used in cottage gardens and meadows. Bluebells are also available in different heights and sizes, making them versatile plants that can be used in a variety of garden settings. They are deer and rodent resistant. Bluebells are sometimes called Hyacinthoides non-scripta, which means “non-scripted hyacinth-like” in Latin.

Alliums

Alliums are a type of flowering bulb that belong to the onion family (Alliaceae). They are native to the Northern hemisphere and come in a wide range of sizes, from small, 6-inch plants to large, 4-foot tall varieties. They are known for their large, round heads of tightly packed flowers that come in a variety of colours, including pink, purple, white, and blue. They are easy to grow and thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Alliums are drought tolerant and deer resistant. They are typically planted in the autumn and will bloom in late spring to early summer. They are also a great cut flower and can be dried for long-lasting arrangements. Alliums are often used in cottage gardens, meadows, and borders. They are also a great companion plant for other spring bulbs, perennials, and annuals.

Although a fairly long list, these are just a few of the many beautiful spring bulbs that can plant in your garden borders, flowerbeds or pots. As soon as the weather warms up there’s no better reason to get out there and plant your spring bulbs so that you can start enjoying your garden!

Category: Garden

I’m home composting and you should too