Summary Compost leachate is the brown-yellowish liquid that drains out of a compost bin when the contents are wetter than the bin can hold. It is not the same thing as ‘Compost tea’, ie the brown-yellowish liquid made by soaking compost in water and then using the brown-yellowish water. Neither is a consistent, predictable fertiliser.…

Summary Compost accelerators and inoculators are sold as powders or liquids that claim to “speed up” composting. In a normal compost bin, the biggest drivers of speed are still conditions inside the heap: air, moisture, warmth, and structure. What are they? Compost accelerators These are products sold to make compost “break down faster”. They are…

Composting can appear to stall when one or more essentials become limiting. This is most often due to dryness, excess moisture, or loss of structure. In some cases, compost has not stalled at all but is simply moving slowly, particularly in cooler conditions. Understanding that composting does not proceed at a constant rate helps avoid…

Pests are attracted by accessible food and shelter, not by composting itself. Open access points, exposed food waste, or gaps at ground level increase risk. Well‑designed bins reduce these opportunities, but user practices still matter. Flies are often linked to fresh food waste near the surface rather than to the composting process as a whole.…

Rather than thinking in terms of strict “can” and “can’t” lists, it is often more helpful to think about composting as a diet for decomposer microbes. Different materials break down at very different rates and place different demands on air, moisture, and structure. Easy or soft materials are rich in sugars, starches, and other readily…

Turning and mixing redistribute material, moisture, and oxygen within a compost bin, but their effects are often temporary and limited. Any increase in oxygen availability from turning is usually short‑lived and is quickly consumed in active material. Turning also releases stored heat and can disrupt developing microbial structure. In static, non‑tumbler bins, turning is often…

Food waste can be composted at home, but success depends on experience, preparation, and bin capability as much as on the waste itself. Many problems arise not because food waste is unsuitable, but because it is added too quickly or in volumes that overwhelm airflow and structure. For those new to composting, it is sensible…

Experience with domestic composting systems shows that timeframes depend strongly on system type and input materials. In ambient composting systems, especially where garden waste such as woody prunings and mixed trimmings dominate, it is realistic to allow 12–18 months for material to reach a generally usable state. Softer materials, such as grass clippings or leafy…

Not all compost smells mean something is wrong. In practice, three broad odour types are commonly experienced, each with different causes and implications. Mild, cabbage‑like or earthy smells are often associated with periods of high microbial activity. These smells are usually not unpleasant to most people and commonly occur as fresh material is actively decomposed.…

Summary Composting works because living microbes break down organic material. As they do this, they release warmth, which tells us how active the process is. A good compost bin helps hold the right conditions so this natural process can keep going. What happens inside a compost bin Inside a compost bin, billions of microscopic organisms…