Compost

The compost is highly nutrient-rich, so follow the instructions on this page for best results.

Use of compost
Compost is great for general soil improvement and as a fertiliser, especially for perennial plants such as perennials, shrubs and trees.

Quantity and frequency:

• Apply a layer of 4 cm every 3-5 years or about 1 cm annually.
• A 1 cm layer is equivalent to applying 10 litres per m² or 1 m³ per 100 m².
• If you use compost for sowing, the compost must be incorporated into the soil before sowing.
• When planting, compost can be applied to the soil after planting. However, on clay soils where soil improvement is needed, it is recommended to incorporate the compost into the soil before planting.
• Compost or mixtures with compost should never be incorporated deeper than:
  • 20 cm on clay soil
  • 40 cm on sandy soil

Never sow or plant directly in unmixed compost.

When the nutrient status of the soil is in balance (possibly examined by a soil analysis), compost can replace phosphorus and potassium fertilisers and liming. This means that it is not necessary to use NPK artificial fertiliser. Only nutrient-demanding or fast-growing plants need extra nitrogen in the same year that a 4 cm layer of compost is applied.

With a small annual application of compost, it may be necessary to supplement with nitrogen. This can be done by using lime or calcium ammonium nitrate (e.g. 2 kg per 100 m²) or by mowing down nitrogen-fixing plant species such as ground clover or winter vetch.

If compost is applied regularly, there is no need to use sphagnum for general soil improvement. Compost is the most effective soil conditioner, especially in clay soils.

Kitchen garden and summer flowers:
Incorporate a 4 cm layer of compost into the soil before sowing/planting or spread on the soil after planting. Supplement with nitrogen fertiliser.

Old perennial beds:
Place a 4 cm thick layer of compost on the soil around the plants.

Landscaping your lawn:
Thoroughly and evenly incorporate a 3 cm layer of compost into the soil before sowing. Supplement with nitrogen fertiliser after emergence (but not during the winter months).

Planting perennials and small shrubs:
A 4 cm thick layer of compost is incorporated into the soil before planting or spread on the soil after planting.

Planting larger shrubs and trees:
The soil from the planting hole can be mixed with compost (1 part compost to 4 parts soil). Avoid putting unmixed compost in the bottom of the hole. After planting, spread an 8 cm thick layer of compost on the soil around the plant, but make sure to leave an area of bare soil close to the stem of the plant.

Old shrubs and trees:
Place an 8 cm thick layer of compost on the soil under the plants, but leave bare soil all the way around the stem.

Old lawns:

• Mix 1 part compost with 2 parts sand.
• Spread the mixture in an even layer of about 1 cm over the lawn in spring.
• Tear gently afterwards.
• If the grass is covered with the mixture for more than 1-2 weeks, you should water the lawn.

Greenhouse and houseplants:
Mix 1 part compost with 2 parts sphagnum before sowing or 1 part sphagnum before transplanting. Use unfertilised, non-calcified sphagnum.

How garden waste becomes compost at BOFA
Garden waste from both private and commercial customers is received and processed at BOFAa's facility in Rønne. Here, the waste is first broken down and then placed in compost bins. During the process, the windrows are continuously turned and watered to ensure efficient decomposition.

The temperature in the compost heaps rises to around 70-80ºC. This high temperature ensures that slugs and snail eggs do not survive, making the compost pest-free.

After about a year and a half, the garden waste is transformed into nutrient-rich and strong compost, which is distributed free of charge to the citizens of Bornholm.

Home composting of vegetable matter, including garden waste, is permitted.

For home composting, the following rules must be observed:

• Prepared food waste must not be composted at home.
• Composting must not create unsanitary conditions on your property or on neighbouring properties.
• Composting must not cause the presence of pests.

Read more about what you can put in the compost bin here.

When organic material such as leaves and grass lie on the ground, it gradually decomposes and turns into soil. We can clearly see this in the forest, where the forest floor just below the surface acts as a natural compost heap.

We can mimic the same process at home when turning organic material into compost in the garden. Worms, insects and other small animals play an important role in decomposition, but they need air, moisture and heat to do their job effectively.

Collecting garden waste in a compost bin creates an environment similar to nature's own processes. Depending on the time of year and how the bin is cared for, the compost can be finished in between six months and a year.

Benefits of home composting:

• Can reduce daily waste by up to 30 - 40 %.
• Reuse natural resources in a sustainable way.

To make it easy to use the compost bin, you should place it close to the kitchen. That way you avoid long journeys with the compost waste.

The compost bin should not be placed directly in the sun. It's best to find a place with some shade, for example in a corner of the garden.

The container should be placed directly on the ground and on an even surface. Avoid placing it on solid surfaces such as tiles, concrete or asphalt.

Having a small, closed container for temporary storage of compost waste in the kitchen can be handy. A good location can be under the kitchen sink for easy access.

Compost should not smell bad. If it smells rotten, something is wrong. Healthy compost has a natural, earthy odour.

The material in the compost bin will gradually collapse, creating space for new waste. However, be aware that the process slows down during cold periods, especially in winter.

The finished compost material at the bottom of the bin (topsoil) should have a suitable consistency. It should not be too wet.

If your compost bin fulfils these conditions, it is working properly.

Not sure how to best care for your compost bins? Get advice and guidance here.

A compost bin requires maintenance. However, it's not a particularly difficult or time-consuming task.

In the beginning, there may be situations where you experience challenges or have doubts about whether everything is working as it should. This is perfectly natural until you become more familiar with the process.

Shredding of compost material
The finer the compost material is divided, the faster it will turn into compost. Therefore, larger pieces should be broken down before adding them.

Oxygenation of the compost
It is important to regularly add air to the compost to ensure good oxygenation of the process. Use an aeration stick or other suitable tool to "turn" the compost and create air circulation.

Moisture regulation of the compost
Compost does not generally need to be watered. If it becomes too dry, it is often because there is too much dry compost material in the bin. This can be remedied by adding more wet compost waste to balance the moisture.

Repotting the compost
The compost should be turned at regular intervals. You may want to open the hatch at the bottom of the bin a few times a year, take out a few shovelfuls of partially turned compost and place it at the top of the bin. This helps to promote even decomposition.

There is no worm.
In many cases, even if you can't see it, there will still be worms in the compost bin.
If there are no worms in your compost bin, you can buy them from nurseries or DIY stores. Another option is to get a handful of worms from your neighbour.

Even if there are no worms in the bin, composting will still take place. However, the process will be slightly slower without the worms.

The compost is too wet.
If your compost is very wet, it is probably due to an incorrect ratio of dry to wet material. To solve the problem, you can add dry material such as sawdust, dry garden waste, wood chips or dolomite lime. It takes a little patience and experience to find the right moisture balance, but in time you will achieve a well-functioning compost.

There are flies in the compost bin.
It's normal for flies, insects and small animals to be present in the compost bin. These small organisms are a natural part of the decomposition process and actually contribute to the efficiency of composting.

From the kitchen/household:

• Peels from fruit and vegetables
  - Do not use cooked or fried leftovers and limit the amount of citrus peels.
• Leftover cake and bread
  - crusts and smaller scraps, avoid large pieces or too much at once.
• Small pieces of paper towel
• Coffee filters and tea bags
  - preferably with grounds and tea leaves.
• Cut flowers and discarded houseplants
  - Root ball plants can also be used, but remember to break the ball into smaller pieces.
• Crushed egg and nut shells
• Cork stoppers, popsicle sticks, etc.
• Litter from small pets
  - from rodents such as mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas and rabbits.

From the garden:

• All vegetable waste from the garden.
• Branches
  - must be pulverised, otherwise decomposition takes a very long time.
• Plants
  - but avoid using diseased plants. Certain plant diseases can survive the composting process and spread further.
• Grass clippings
  - must dry first and should not be added in large quantities at a time. Grass clippings are particularly suitable if the compost is too wet.

• Sick plants
  - should not be composted. Certain plant diseases can survive the composting process and spread further.
• Cardboard and paper
  - It must be handed in for recycling.
• Animal waste in the form of meat, fish, etc.
  - It's difficult to compost, attracts pests and can cause odours.
• Dairy products
  - are not suitable for composting. Also avoid leftovers such as cheese rinds, rice pudding, etc.
• Metal, glass, plastic and other plastics
• Oil and chemical waste
• Dust and tobacco waste
  - Dust from vacuum cleaner bags, floor and sweeping waste and cigarette butts often contain toxic heavy metals and should not be composted.
• Ash from fireplaces and stoves
  - may only be used in small quantities and onlyif the ash comes from clean wood without paint, wood protection, glue residue, etc.

Following these guidelines will ensure that your compost is healthy and free of harmful substances.