- The compost heap in permaculture
- Frame the compost pile
- The best location for the compost heap
- What can and cannot be disposed of on the compost heap?
The compost heap is one of the central elements in the permaculture garden. Garden waste is disposed of here and converted into a valuable raw material.
A compost heap made from branches is a great element for the permaculture garden
The compost heap in permaculture
An important principle of permaculture is not to throw anything away. Everything is recycled in a kind of cycle - just as it works in nature. Leaves are not rubbish but important mulch,(239.00€) Garden waste is fodder for animals or the basic building material for valuable humus and grass cuttings, tree cuttings and other things are used for hill beds, raised beds or just the compost heap. The resulting humus improves the soil quality (also a permaculture principle) and ensures a rich harvest - also a permaculture principle. You can read all 12 permaculture principles here.
Frame the compost pile
A compost heap is usually provided with a frame so that it does not spread voluminously in all directions. Since, as I said, the available resources are fully exploited in permaculture and as little as possible should be added from outside, you should use materials from your garden for the frame construction. For example, there are:
- big stones
- large branches and pruning
- Any existing boards, pallets or similar.
- old car tires
- old fences
It is also possible to use existing hills as a "wall".
The best location for the compost heap
The compost heap should be easily accessible and protected from wind and strong sunlight. A windless place in the semi-shade is best.
What can and cannot be disposed of on the compost heap?
Kitchen and garden waste is quickly turned into compost by the helpful insects. Meat, dairy and other leftover food can attract larger animals like rats and should not be thrown in the compost
All tree waste such as wood, branches, bark and leaves only decompose slowly. It is therefore best to use larger branches for staking out beds or for hill beds and use part of the foliage as mulch so that little tree waste ends up on the compost. Even grass clippings are only withered and can be disposed of in small quantities on the compost heap. However, you can simply leave grass clippings on the lawn and thus provide the lawn with nutrients.
Weeds and diseased plant parts should never be placed in the compost.
tips
Even if you don't have a garden, you don't have to do without good, home-made hummus. With a worm farm, kitchen waste can be easily composted in a large container.