Using Compost in Your Home and Beyond

 Whether you're new to composting or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you understand the myriad of ways you can use compost to benefit your household and community.

1. Enrich your garden. Compost is commonly referred to as "black gold" among gardeners. Here's why.

Compost enriches soil with organic matter, increasing its texture and structure.
Compost increases soil fertility, supporting healthier plant growth.
Compost improves water retention, minimising the need for regular watering.

2. Improve Your Lawn's Health.
A layer of compost can be really beneficial for your lawn.

Top-dressing: Apply a thin layer of compost to your lawn to improve soil health and encourage lush, green grass.
Natural Fertiliser: Compost functions as a slow-release fertiliser, giving your grass a consistent supply of nutrients.

3. Make a Thriving Flower Bed
Flowers thrive in compost-rich soil.

Planting Beds: Add compost to flower beds to offer nutrients and enhance soil structure.
Mulch: Use compost to discourage weeds, conserve moisture, and gradually supply nutrients.

4. Support potted plants.
Compost can be beneficial to both indoor and outdoor potted plants.

Potting Mix: Add compost to your potting mix to create a nutrient-rich habitat for your plants.
Top Dressing: To gradually nourish your plants, spread a thin layer of compost on top of the soil in your pots.

5. Compost Tea for Nutrient Boost.
Make compost tea to give your plants a boost.

How to Make Compost Tea: Steep compost in water for 24-48 hours, then drain and use the liquid to water your plants.
Benefits: Compost tea provides a quick nutrient boost and can help prevent plant illnesses.

6. Improve Your Vegetable Garden.
Compost is beneficial to vegetable gardens.

Soil Amendment: To boost fertility and structure in your vegetable garden soil, incorporate compost.
Planting Rows: Add compost to the planting rows to deliver nutrients directly to your veggies.

7. Use compost in landscaping projects.
Compost can be used in a variety of landscaping projects.

New Plantings: When planting trees and shrubs, use compost to help them get started.
Erosion Control: Compost can help to reduce soil erosion on slopes and hillsides.

8. Community and Public Spaces.
Extend compost's benefits to your community.

Donate compost to local community gardens to help with communal growing efforts.
Public Parks: Collaborate with local parks agencies to incorporate compost into public green spaces.