Create a compost heap in 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, they are more important Mulch,(€ 239.00 at Amazon *) Garden waste is fodder for animals or the basic building material for valuable ones humus and grass clippings, pruning trees and others are made for Hill beds, Raised beds or the compost heap. The resulting humus improves the soil quality (also a principle of permaculture) and ensures a rich harvest - also a permaculture principle. Read all 12 permaculture principles here.

Frame the compost heap

A compost heap is usually provided with a frame so that it does not spread out voluminously in all directions. Because, as I said, in permaculture the available resources are fully exploited and as far as possible If you do not want to add much from the outside, you should use materials from your garden for the frame construction use. For this purpose z. B. at:

• big stones
• large branches and pruning
• Possibly existing boards, pallets, etc.
• old car tires
• Old fences

It is also possible to use the existing hill 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 Penumbra.

What can and cannot be disposed of on the compost heap?

Kitchen and garden waste are quickly turned into compost by the helpful insects. Meat, dairy products, and other scraps of food can attract larger animals such as rats and are better not to be disposed of 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 leaves as mulch so that only little tree waste ends up on the compost. Even grass clippings are only withered and small amounts of them can be disposed of on the compost heap. However, you can simply leave clippings on the lawn and thus supply the lawn with nutrients.
Weeds and diseased plant parts should definitely not be placed on the compost.