Odours of a different kind are on the minds of some readers. In many gardens, the new compost heap is ponging. But don't worry, this is easily solved, as are the other issues raising their ugly heads in compost bins across the land. We'll deal with a few of them here.
UNPLEASANT SMELLS Too wet or airless, possibly because there is too much kitchen waste, or too many grass clippings. Remove the contents from bin or heap and reassemble, mixing in more crispy stuff, such as dried plant material, leaves, straw, or torn-up newspaper.
Cause: Too much kitchen waste or other fly-attracting matter. Solution: Make sure the balance is right (as above), and cover with a layer of dry material, or soil - which make an inhospitable surface for flies and their eggs. Never add cooked food, or meat, fish or poultry.
SPIDERS AND OTHER CREEPY-CRAWLIES Cause: They're preying on the flies (above) and other small, harmless critters - who are in turn living off each other and the contents of the compost bin. Relax and marvel at this miniature example of the food pyramid.
HUGE SLUGS They naturally gravitate towards decaying material. Solution: Stop worrying: they're in the compost heap, not the garden. And anyway, this particular species is not interested in live plants, just dead ones.
MATERIALS NOT BREAKING DOWN Not enough nitrogenous materials (the stuff that goes soft and slimy when it rots), or water, or heat. Solution: Remix the heap, adding grass clippings or other soft green plant matter, or farmyard manure. Add water. If you have a well-balanced, moist heap and it is sitting unchanged, just bide your time; it will begin to decompose - action is slow in autumn, and almost non-existent in winter.
RATS AND MICE Cause: They were in the area anyway, and thought they'd stop in to your compost heap for a quick snack. Do not add cooked food, or fats, or any animal or dairy matter to the compost. Keep the balance of ingredients right. Site your compost operation well away from the house, use a bin that can be closed, and remember to wear gloves when you are attending to it.
RED WORMS Congratulations! Your compost is ready for use. Brandling worms appear when the material has decomposed enough to use. Larger stuff that has not broken down can be retained for another bout of composting.
WHAT TO COMPOST Soft plant material, dried or fresh, including weeds (preferably without seeds); grass clippings; shredded prunings and hedge clippings; uncooked vegetable waste; tea leaves; coffee grounds; eggshells; autumn leaves; farmyard manure, and litter from herbivore pets such as rabbits; small amounts of non-glossy newspaper; hair and contents of vacuum cleaner bags; wood ash, in moderation.
WHAT NOT TO COMPOST Diseased plants; plant material that has been treated with chemicals; roots of perennial weeds; cooked food, including rice, pasta and bread; meat, fish and poultry (raw or cooked); dairy products; thick, woody material; cat litter and dog faeces; coal and peat ashes.
FURTHER READING Compost by Clare Foster (Cassell Illustrated, £7.99). A Guide to Home Composting by Klaus Laitenberger and John O'Neill (The Organic Centre, €4.50, click on: www.theorganiccentre.ie).