Here are some instructions for compost bins that I recently shared with an ambitious new community cafe in Didsbury, south Manchester.

There’s no secret to compost making – just follow a few simple rules.

1. Use all your fresh veg waste – so peelings, outer leaves, etc, plus egg shells, coffee dregs & tea leaves.
2. Do not use any waste cooked food or dairy products – it attracts rats!
3. Add paper waste like egg cartons, loo rolls, cardboard – tear it up into small pieces.
4. Do not add coated papers like copier types – they’re full of chemicals. Stick to soft cardboard that soaks up moisture.
5. Layers matter – attempt to layer the veg waste and cardboard. A proportion of 2:1 veg to cardboard is good.
6. If it looks too dry and isn’t rotting – chuck on some water or a stewed cup of tea.
7. Worms and slugs will appear – they do all the work in breaking down the material.
8. Give it a stir – keep a garden fork nearby and mix it up a bit occasionally.
9. When the bin is full – leave it alone to rot down and start afresh with the next bin.

The heap will take between 6-12 months to rot down, depending on weather conditions. It rots faster in hot weather.

When it doesn’t smell and is a dry crumbly, brown compost, then it’s ready to use on the garden. That’s it!

If you find yourself in Didsbury, why not drop into Home Community Cafe.