Keen to know more about compost or worm fertiliser and how to make it? Here are 5 reasons to give it a try – with input from experts at Sustainable Gardening Australia.

There’s a reason they call it ‘black gold’

Compost is essentially a mixture of decaying organic matter, generally made up of leaves, cuttings, kitchen scraps and manures. As compost breaks down, nutrients are released into the soil, creating a rich food source for your plants. It benefits all soil types, increasing water retention in sandy soils and helping break up heavy clay soils. Worm farms are an excellent alternative to compost bins for smaller spaces.

Take it full circle at your place

Our FOGO (food organics and garden organics) bins redirect thousands of tonnes of green waste from landfill every year. While some of the resulting compost comes back to Boroondara’s parks and gardens, it doesn’t make it to your backyard. But composting or worm farming food scraps and garden waste at home rewards you with your own nutrient-rich fertiliser. And you can pat yourself on the back for turning green ‘waste’ into gold.

Think of the savings

Buying compost or fertilisers for a garden or balcony full of plants adds up fast. Making your own saves money. It also avoids the plastic packaging and transport emissions that go into commercial products.

You can save on compost bins and worm farms

Boroondara residents, schools, kinders, clubs and businesses can save up to 50% off the retail price of a compost bin, bokashi bin, food waste composter, pet waste composter or worm farm. Find out more on our Composting page.

We have a workshop to get you started

Keen to learn more? Sign up for our Composting and worm farms webinar on Wednesday 11 March, presented by Sustainable Gardening Australia. We’ll explore what compost is and how it forms, the simple recipe for great compost and easy solutions to composting challenges. We’ll look at worm farming and bokashi fermentation too.