Compost Guy, UK

Big news from Compost Guy… we now sell actual compost too 🌱 That means you can now come to us not just for composters, but for the good stuff to go in your garden as well. Our Multi-Purpose Compost is now available to order, including double bags for bigger jobs, raised beds, planters and garden projects. If you’d like to have a look, head to the shop here: postguy.co.uk/category/compost-bark-and-mulch Thanks so much for your support. We’re really excited to add this to the range and help more people get growing. . . . . . . #compost #composting #hotcomposting #allotment #allotmentuk #ukallotment #gardening #allotmentlife #allotments #eco #sustainableliving #allotmentsofinstagram #sustainable #compostable #sustainability #foodwaste #waste #zerowaste #leafmould #hotbin #greenjohanna #aerobin #woodencomposters /compostforsale

Thinking about starting #composting? It’s a simple way to turn your kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost that feeds your plants and reduces waste. Why compost? It helps cut down the amount of rubbish sent to landfill, which means fewer greenhouse gases like methane harming our planet. Plus, homemade compost improves your soil by adding valuable nutrients, helping your garden grow stronger and healthier. At home, composting saves money on fertilisers and keeps your garden thriving by improving soil moisture and structure. It’s also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive environmental impact. Ready to give it a go? Start with a mix of green (fruit and veg scraps) and brown (dry leaves, shredded paper) materials, keep it moist but not soggy, and turn it regularly to keep air flowing. You’ll be amazed at how quickly nature does its work! . . . . . . #compost #hotcomposting #allotment #allotmentuk #ukallotment #gardening #allotmentlife #allotments #eco #sustainableliving #allotmentsofinstagram #sustainable #compostable #sustainability #foodwaste #waste #zerowaste #leafmould #hotbin #greenjohanna #aerobin #woodencomposters

Happy to be a part of... Food Waste Action Week 2026 This year, the UK’s biggest annual food waste reduction campaign will run from 9 – 15 March 2026. The week inspires simple, practical action that helps food go further – saving money, time and stress, while protecting the planet. Why this matters In the UK, 60% of food waste happens in our homes. Each year, households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food – that’s worth £17.5 billion and creates 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. At a time of rising costs and climate pressure, reducing food waste is one of the fastest, simplest ways to save money and reduce waste. #FoodWasteActionWeek . . . . . . #compost #composting #hotcomposting #allotment #allotmentuk #ukallotment #gardening #allotmentlife #allotments #eco #sustainableliving #allotmentsofinstagram #sustainable #compostable #sustainability #foodwaste #waste #zerowaste #leafmould #hotbin #greenjohanna #aerobin #woodencomposters

Adam from @compostguy.uk was one of the early sponsors of the Compost Championships, what a legend! CompostGuy.uk is an immense source of composting knowledge for home gardeners and businesses. With frequent blog posts, a newsletter, and a compost related shop, CompostGuy is a great place to visit. #compostchampionship #compost #composting #compostcommunity

Pleased to share that I’m sponsoring the Compost Championships with Soil Ecology Lab. 🌱 I help people compost at home and at work, and I run an online shop with composters for anybody who wants to get started, so this felt like a really good fit. If you’re entering, I hope it goes really well. And if you’re curious about what makes “good compost” (and how to improve it), it’s a great thing to follow along with. With thanks to @soilsmiths / @soilecologylaboratory for running it — and to everyone taking part. . . . . . #compost #composting #homecomposting #hotcomposting #foodwasterecycling #gardenwaste #soilhealth #soilbiology #regenerativegardening #gardencompost #allotmentlife #growyourown #sustainableliving #zerowasteuk #reducewaste #circulareconomy #communitycomposting #compostcommunity #gardeninguk #composttips

Ormond has sent in his lush looking horse manure compost to the UK's First Compost Championships! Everyone who enters wins: you firstly get to understand your compost on a deeper level (chemical and biological results), you get invited to join a weekly call with a bunch of compost nerds having a chat around a different topic each session, and you get 20% off Soil Ecology Lab trainings. With many prizes up for grabs as well from our glorious sponsors for those cream-of-the-crop composters, quarterly winners, and the overall compost champion winning a @ridancomposters what more could you want?! More details on how to enter at SoilEcologyLab.co.uk #compostchampionship #compost #soilfoodweb #compostcommunity

New blog is live! I’m Adam from Compost Guy, and I’m sharing Play It Green (@playitgreen ) because I think they’re doing sustainability in a properly transparent, measurable way. Play It Green exists to make doing the right thing simple for businesses. We help organisations reduce their impact, repair the planet, and give back in a way that is practical, transparent, and genuinely meaningful – not box-ticking. Not affiliated, nothing sponsored, no fundraising — just a helpful spotlight for anyone who wants to explore an extra way to make an impact. Head over to our blog for the full story - postguy.co.uk/blog/highlighting-play-it-green-to-our-community . . . . . #CompostGuy #Composting #HotComposting #HomeComposting #CompostTips #FoodWaste #GardenWaste #KitchenWaste #SoilHealth #CompostLife #WasteLess #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #ClimateAction #PlayItGreen #ClimatePositive #NetZero #NetZeroJourney #CarbonFootprint #CarbonReduction #NatureBasedSolutions #TreePlanting #Reforestation #ForestGarden #ImpactReporting #WorkforceEngagement #Bcorp #DoGood #GoodCauses

There's so much waste out there to be utilised and SOOO many lush folks, farmers, growers, and community schemes who have the knowledge and the drive to deal with it. Everyone who enters wins even before we've examined your compost! - ALL entrants gain access to a weekly compost call to chat to some nerds and each other to develop composting skills and community - Everyone gets 20% of Soil Ecology Lab training sessions - Competitors are in with a chance of winning some lush prizes!!!!!!! - Each person/group can begin to understand their compost more deeply with enriched knowledge about the microbes and nutrient availability. - And huge dose of notoriety within the composting community for those top tier composts Soil microbiology levels and diversity, and C:N ratio are the ways we're mainly judging it. We'll also assess the look and feel (and taste...), and any see if there are any mesofauna kicking around for more nuanced information. More details can be found on the SoilEcologyLab website. We have a few sponsors (both financial, prizes, and media sponsors) we'd like to thank, without them the championships wouldn't be happening. Please check out their websites and follow them: @ridancomposters @agriton.uk @getcomposting @wiggly.wigglers @compostguy.uk @hayregenerativesoilscic @nffnuk @ecothrive @wovenwooduk @permaculture_uk @socialfarmsandgardens @nourishedearthuk @sixinchesofsoil @theorganicgrowersgathering @trobolo.official @cumbria.master.composters You've got 11 months remaining to enter. Get decomposing folks!! #Compost #ukcompostchampionships #compostcupuk #compostcommunity #soilfoodweb #compostersunite

Soil Ecology Lab welcomes all entrants to the UK's First Compost Championships!!! Whoop whoop Everyone who makes compost is encouraged to join to find out more about the compost they lovingly craft and to see how you rank against the rest of the community =] Soil microbiology and C:N ratio are the ways we're judging it. More details can be found on the SoilEcologyLab website. Everyone who enters can join a weekly compost call, gets 20% of Soil Ecology Lab training sessions, and gets the chance to win some lush prizes!!!!!!! We have a few sponsors (both financial, prizes, and media sponsors) we'd like to thank, without them the championships wouldn't be happening: @ridancomposters @agriton.uk @getcomposting @wiggly.wigglers @compostguy.uk @hayregenerativesoilscic @nffnuk @ecothrive @wovenwooduk @permaculture_uk @socialfarmsandgardens @nourishedearthuk @sixinchesofsoil @theorganicgrowersgathering You've got 12 months to enter. Get decomposing folks #Compost #compostchampionships #compostcup #compostcommunity #soilfoodweb

Soil Ecology Lab welcomes all entrants to the UK's First Compost Championships!!! Whoop whoop Everyone who makes compost is encouraged to join to find out more about the compost they lovingly craft and to see how you rank against the rest of the community =] Soil microbiology and C:N ratio are the ways we're judging it. More details can be found on the SoilEcologyLab website. Everyone who enters can join a weekly compost call, gets 20% of Soil Ecology Lab training sessions, and gets the chance to win some lush prizes!!!!!!! We have a few sponsors we'd like to thank, without them the championships wouldn't be happening: @ridancomposters @agriton.uk @getcomposting @wiggly.wigglers @compostguy.uk @hayregenerativesoilscic @nffnuk @ecothrive You've got 12 months to enter. Get decomposing folks #Compost #compostchampionships #compostcup #compostcommunity #soilfoodweb

Leafmould vs. other composts Leafmould primarily relies on fungal decomposition, while other compost utilises bacteria for a faster breakdown. This means leafmould takes longer to mature, usually around two years for complete decomposition. This is different from regular compost, which depends on bacteria for a quicker process. Leafmould excels as a soil conditioner, improving structure and water retention, while compost focuses on boosting soil fertility (It does also helps with soil structure and water retention!). Leafmould doesn't offer as many nutrients as compost but significantly enhances the soil's ability to hold water, up to a 50% increase, according to studies. It creates an optimal environment for beneficial organisms like earthworms and bacteria. Leafmould is best made solely from deciduous leaves, although some tougher evergreen leaves can be added to speed up the process in regular compost. However, certain tree leaves, like walnut, eucalyptus, and cherry laurel, should be avoided entirely due to their plant growth-inhibiting chemicals. Leafmould offers versatility with uses ranging from soil improvement, mulching, to creating potting mixes. You can enhance soil structure and water retention by incorporating it into garden beds. In contrast, younger leafmould, about one to two years old, can be used as a surface mulch to suppress weeds and gradually enrich the soil. For potting mixes, finely sieved leafmould can be combined with garden soil or sieved compost, which is especially beneficial for container gardening due to its excellent water retention properties. . . . . . . #compost #composting #hotcomposting #allotment #allotmentuk #ukallotment #gardening #allotmentlife #allotments #eco #sustainableliving #allotmentsofinstagram #sustainable #compostable #sustainability #foodwaste #waste #zerowaste #leafmould #hotbin #greenjohanna #aerobin #woodencomposters

Factors that influence the breakdown of leaves into leafmould Leaf Type The type of leaf significantly impacts the speed of decomposition. Smaller, thinner leaves like birch break down faster, while larger, tougher leaves like chestnuts benefit from shredding beforehand. Evergreen leaves and conifer needles decompose much slower than deciduous leaves and should be chopped and only added in small quantities. Pine needles, however, create acidic leafmould suitable for mulching acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. Leaf Size Chopping or shredding leaves speeds up decomposition because smaller pieces break down faster. Moisture Consistent moisture is crucial for the fungal and microbial activity that breaks down leaves. Regularly watering the leaf pile, especially during dry periods, ensures optimal moisture levels. Inadequate moisture can significantly slow the decomposition process. Aeration Providing adequate airflow within the leaf pile is essential for efficient decomposition. Using a mesh or wire cage structure or puncturing plastic bags containing leaves ensures sufficient airflow. Turning the leaf pile every few weeks further enhances aeration and speeds up the breakdown. Time Leafmould formation is a slow process, primarily driven by fungal decomposition, unlike the faster bacterial decomposition in a compost heap. While some leaves may break down in a year, most require around two years to decompose fully into usable leafmould. Temperature Covering the leaf pile with a plastic sheet can help keep the leaves warm and moist, speeding up the process. Steam rising from the pile also indicates rapid decomposition. Additives Adding grass clippings to the leaves can increase the nitrogen content, potentially aiding decomposition. Using a lawnmower to collect leaves naturally incorporates some grass clippings. It's important to remember that leafmould formation is a natural process, and these factors work together to break down leaves. While you can control factors like leaf size and moisture, others, like time, are inherent to the process. . . . . . #compost #composting #sustainableliving #zerowaste #leafmould