Making your own compost rather than using synthetic fertilizers is so much better for your garden and the environment. The long term effects of synthetic fertilizing is revealing a devastating impact on the land with erosion and soil acidification. Well decomposed compost will improve your soil with organic content and the good bacteria needed to keep your soil healthy, full of living organisms, free from bad bacteria and disease, and allow more air and water into the soil, not to mention giving you the best vegies!

What can I put in my compost?

All kitchen fruits and vegetable scraps
Lawn clippings
Leaves
Green waste
Torn Paper
Tea/Coffee

What should I not put in my compost?

Meat
Onions, Citrus
Dairy
Diseased Plants
Oil

Compost should never be too wet or dry and be sweet smelling, not revolting. The key is to have a balance between all the elements in the compost bin, and not overload it with only food scraps or only dried leaves, or only lawn clippings. You need a equalish balance of all these elements. It takes several months for the compost to break down, and once it has broken down, dig into your garden. Combining compost with well rotted manure and mulch will give your vegies the best chance ever!

You can buy compost bins from your local gardening shops, or make your own! There are many different kinds so you chose the best size and style for you!

For some more info on composting I love to get my advice from Costa from Gardening Australia.