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Compost is nature’s way of recycling. Made from waste garden material, compost is an essential ingredient for creating rich, friable soil and therefore healthy plants. Find out how to make compost with the guide below and use compost throughout your garden for healthy plant growth!
HOW TO SET … View moreCompost is nature’s way of recycling. Made from waste garden material, compost is an essential ingredient for creating rich, friable soil and therefore healthy plants. Find out how to make compost with the guide below and use compost throughout your garden for healthy plant growth!
HOW TO SET UP YOUR COMPOST SYSTEM
To get started you will need a good structure or container to hold your compost. Reln Garden Compost Bins are a great option, or you could build your own, for example out of plastic bins or pallets, or create a compost heap. Look online for more ideas.
Choose a sunny position for your compost system and ensure it is easily accessible for adding ingredients and regular mixing.
Prepare your compost in layers that are a blend of carbon and nitrogen. This means adding a mix of organic garden and kitchen waste materials.
Carbon: Leaves, sticks, twigs and newspaper.
Nitrogen: Fruit and vegetable kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea leaves and sheep pellets.
Avoid adding: meat, dairy products or bread as these can attract unwanted pests. Don’t add any diseased plant material, to avoid spreading the disease.
A good rule of thumb is to add nothing larger than your little finger. Break up larger items like sticks, twigs and cardboard before adding them, to help them break down more quickly.
Layer materials evenly, making sure each layer is no thicker than 10cm. For every layer of backyard and garden waste, add a layer of kitchen waste material.
To help get the composting process underway you can add some existing compost to each layer. Add a little water with each layer and mix the material every few additions.
Put a lid on your compost bin to enable it to decompose quickly. Mix your compost regularly. It is compost when it is dark brown and smells earthy - it takes six to eight weeks to fully mature.
USING COMPOST IN YOUR GARDEN
Compost has a variety of benefits when used in your garden. It replaces nutrients that have been removed during a growing season, improves soil structure and increases the amount of oxygen available to plants.
Compost also conditions soil, improves moisture retention, increases earthworm activity and improves fertiliser use by plants.
For best results compost should be dug into the soil. Don’t plant directly into compost as this can burn plant roots.
The content of your compost bin should have the consistency of a damp sponge. If your compost gets a bit too wet, adding paper will help soak up excess water.
Apply 100g (approximately 10 tablespoons) of Tui Compost Enhancer per square metre to help speed up compost decomposition and keep away flies.
Garage sale at 18 York Ave, Heretaunga 7am Saturday 3 March
Selling clothes, shoes, books, household goods etc
It's been a terrible month for libraries of all shapes and sizes in Upper Hutt. Generous people are already working to re-establish the library fridge in Timberlea.
Comments may be used in print unless specified otherwise if NFP.
We need your help! These 5 amazing Organisation applicants are finalists in the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Organisation and how your support will help them - and then cast your vote … View moreWe need your help! These 5 amazing Organisation applicants are finalists in the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Organisation and how your support will help them - and then cast your vote below. Voting closes Tuesday 13th March.
ghd IV lemon - candy collection
Used a few times .. still in box and in good condition ... Selling because husband says I don't need to own 3, told husband if not sold today I'm keeping. $150 ono today only.
Hello there gardeners, whatever your gardening goal, there's lots of inspiration to be found in Annabel's garden. Plus, well, it's just beautiful.
Want to keep your cashflow flowing? As a small business owner you know just how vital it can be for your success. To help you keep the money moving smoothly, check out these 5 helpful tips designed to help maintain a good cashflow outlook.
We need your help! These 5 wonderful Community Project applicants are finalists in the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Community Project on how your support will help them - and then cast your… View moreWe need your help! These 5 wonderful Community Project applicants are finalists in the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Community Project on how your support will help them - and then cast your vote below. Voting closes Tuesday 13th March.
A book-swap fridge library in Upper Hutt lasted only a few hours before it was taken away and smash…
In 2017, free HPV immunisations were extended to boys for the first time, with about two thirds of parents choosing to immunise their children through their school immunisation programme.
HPV-related cancers take a long time to develop. The viruses are mostly transmitted in adolescence but often… View moreIn 2017, free HPV immunisations were extended to boys for the first time, with about two thirds of parents choosing to immunise their children through their school immunisation programme.
HPV-related cancers take a long time to develop. The viruses are mostly transmitted in adolescence but often aren’t diagnosed until later. That’s why it’s important for children to be immunised when they’re young.
Around 80% of people will be exposed to HPV in their lifetime. Immunisation can significantly reduce HPV-related harm. Protecting all children before they’re exposed to HPV will protect their health in the future.
Free HPV immunisation at school or from your GP. For more info visit: www.health.govt.nz/hpv
Remind tamariki just how important and special they are. In this episode of Tamariki News, hear why praise and encouragement is so important for children. www.youtube.com...
A sea of colour and movement set to a backdrop of lush native bush welcomed about 2000 children and …
Gardener Lynda Hallinan couldn't quite believe it when she found out her grandfather used to spend one day in the garden every September, to produce enough veges to feed his family of eight for the summer. So she put his method to the test.
… View moreGardener Lynda Hallinan couldn't quite believe it when she found out her grandfather used to spend one day in the garden every September, to produce enough veges to feed his family of eight for the summer. So she put his method to the test.
Click here to see the results and check out Lynda's top 10 tips to super fast veges
The shutters are up at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Ten days after announcing it was restru…
These Japanese design bento bags are a great little bag. So easy to use and they are so light and portable.
If you use 4 reusable bags per week instead of plastic ones, in a year you would save 208 plastic bags from landfill and waterways!
All made from 100% repurposed textiles.
2x large … View moreThese Japanese design bento bags are a great little bag. So easy to use and they are so light and portable.
If you use 4 reusable bags per week instead of plastic ones, in a year you would save 208 plastic bags from landfill and waterways!
All made from 100% repurposed textiles.
2x large - 39 cm
2x small - 30 cm
See you at the hokomaha (supermarket)!
On sale for $20, usually $28. Free delivery to Upper Hutt, $4 for postage
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