Waste Not, Want Not: How We’re Turning Scraps into Soil Gold by Composting

We love a good skip dive so when we spotted some discarded pallets and wood destined for landfill, we saw potential - not waste. With a bit of creativity and DIY spirit, we built our very own compost bay at Forest of Hearts, and it’s already making a big difference.

From Waste to Wonder

All the garden trimmings, fallen leaves, and cuttings from our community garden projects have a new home now: the compost bay. Instead of sending this organic material away, we’re turning it into rich, peat-free compost that we can use to feed our raised beds and pot up our next generation of seedlings and cuttings.

By doing this, we’re cutting down on commercial compost use, reducing waste, and avoiding peat, which is a big win for the environment. Peatlands are crucial carbon stores, and by not digging them up, we’re helping protect biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.

Team Effort, Big Impact

It’s not just about the composter, it’s about the people, too. Our Green Therapy group and volunteers are the true heroes behind the compost. They help keep things cooking by regularly turning the piles, balancing the right mix of “greens” (like grass clippings and fresh plant waste) and “browns” (like twigs and cardboard), and sieving the compost when it’s ready so it can be bagged up and used where it’s needed.

It’s proper hands-on work but it’s also quite therapeutic, satisfying, and a brilliant way to stay connected to the garden.

Compost That Gives Back

The best bit though is seeing our homemade compost go full circle. Once it’s crumbly and full of life, we use it to top up our garden beds and start off seeds in our polytunnel and knowing it came from waste we would’ve otherwise thrown away makes it even more rewarding. Thanks to consistent care and attention over 18 months, we've accelerated the composting process and produced 8 tonnes of nutrient-rich homemade compost.

Sustainable, simple, and seriously good for our soil. This compost bay made from repurposing wood is helping us grow our gardens with purpose.