The Compost Collective advises that "Approximately 50% of what Auckland households send to landfill is compostable material. 10% is from the garden and whopping 40% is from the kitchen. This food waste alone weighs in at about 90,000 tonnes each year. Once buried it doesn’t compost down. Compost production requires air, and there is no air in landfill.”

There is something easy we can do to help though. Instead of sending our kitchen and garden waste off to the landfill, we can simply compost it at home.

Bokashi, compost and worm farms are the three main ways to turn your food scraps into beautiful nutrient-dense compost and fertiliser to feed your plants. By adopting one (or more) of these methods you’ll not only drastically reduce your food waste but also help your garden to thrive.

Choosing the right system that suits you and learning how to use it properly is the trick.. Head on over to: https://compostcollective.org.nz/ for great info and discounts on worm fFarms, compost bins and Bokashi systems.

In the meantime here’s a short rundown on the different systems:

• Bokashi can be kept in the kitchen or laundry. Empty the bin monthly by digging the food into the ground. You also get a regular supply of liquid fertiliser. Avoid adding rotten food and don't add liquids, and there will rarely be any problems. Limitations: good for food/kitchen scraps, doesn't do garden waste (lawn clippings and prunings).
• Compost bins are kept in the garden, need to aerate regularly, which is easy with a compost turner. Finished compost is taken from the opening at the bottom of the bin. Don't add meat and dairy or you'll attract mice or rats; don't add citrus or onion family. You’ll need a mix of green and brown waste for it to work well. Limitations: good for garden waste and chookyard rakings, limited use for food.
• Worm farm: can be kept close to the kitchen door but needs solid shade. Easy to use, just throw food in; when all trays are full, lift all trays off to remove the bottom tray and empty it. You can take worm castings when you need them, and it also gives you a liquid fertiliser continually. Don't add meat and dairy or you'll attract mice or rats; don't add citrus or onion family. Limitations: good for food/kitchen scraps, but doesn't do garden waste(lawn clippings and prunings).

Amanda Graham

Ph: 09 218 9233 / 021 378969  

amanda@newhavengardens.co.nz

www.newhavengardens.co.nz