Making the Most of Your Backyard Composter

• Compost makes a great soil amendment, it adds nutrients and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity
• Compost all vegetable scraps, coffee grinds, tea bags etc.
• Chop up large scraps like pumpkins to help them compost faster
• Don’t compost meat, dairy products, sauces or pet wastes
• Use your composter all year. While composting does slow down in cold weather, the freeze and thaw cycle helps to break down the plant cell structure
• Turn your compost regularly to keep it aerated. This makes it compost faster and avoids odours
• Place your composter in direct sunlight if possible
• Make your own compost screen out of hardware cloth or chicken wire on a wooden frame. Screen your finished compost and use it in your garden or as a top-dressing on your lawn
• The City sells composters at a subsidized rate of $15.00 and Kitchen Compost collectors for $6.00

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