If possible and for best effect, shred your garden waste before putting it onto your compost heap. This encourages faster decomposition.

Compost needs oxygen and therefore a pit or trench in the ground will not be suitable.

Make sure that your compost heap remains damp. Dryness prevents the activity of the micro-organisms. However, avoid excessive damp as this will only cause rotting.

Shredded branches are recommended for the lower layers of the compost heap. The next layer should consist of coarse and fine material and grass cuttings should be applied in thin layers, otherwise rotting will occur.

It is recommended to start your compost heap directly on the ground. this allows the decomposting bacteria to act on green tissues.

Suitable compost materials consist of tree and hedge cuttings, leaves, grass and organic kitchen waste. If using kitchen waste, be aware that this will attract pests and should be covered with earth.

An ideal compost site will be in a shaded area that is protected from the wind.

To encourage faster decomposition, add nitrogen fertilizer, ripe compost earth or lime. this should be sprinkled thinly between the individual layers.

Do not compact the compost heap as this will prevent air from penetrating.

Cover the compost heap in order to encourage heat to develope and to prevent loss of humidity.