Composting

Legionella

Legionellosis (or Legionnaires’ disease) is a form of pneumonia. It’s caused by a bacteria called legionella, an environmental organism that lives in moist conditions. You can catch the disease by inhaling airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria. There has been no reported person to-person spread of legionellosis.

The illness may be mild or severe and can sometimes be fatal. It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or have a chronic illness, and those with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of infection. To reduce the risk of exposure to legionella:

• minimise the amount of dust when working in the garden
• water your garden and indoor plants using a gentle spray
• read the warning on bags of composted potting mixes
• wear gloves when handling soil, mulches, compost or potting mix
• wear a face mask when opening bags or using potting mix and compost to avoid inhaling dust
• open bags of soil products or composted potting mixes slowly and away from the face
• dampen potting mixes before use
• make sure the working area (glasshouse, potting shed) is well ventilated
• avoid touching your face when handling soil, compost or potting mix
• always wash your hands after handling soil, compost or potting mix, even if gloves have been worn.

See your doctor immediately if you develop a flu-like illness that is worsening. Antibiotics are effective against legionellosis if given early.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious illness at any age. Animal manures may contain this organism and it can be picked up through broken skin and puncture wounds.

To reduce this risk of Tetanus:

• Keep cuts, scratches and grazes covered while working in the garden. Make sure that any injury is immediately and thoroughly cleaned.
• Tetanus vaccine has been given to children since 1960. If you have not had a course of three doses of tetanus and diphtheria vaccine as a child or adult, see your doctor or practice nurse. Adults need a booster of tetanus-diphtheria vaccine at ages 45 and 65.

For more information on staying safe while enjoying your garden, download a free copy of the Ministry of Health’s booklet

Methods of Composting

There are three main options for composting your food scraps and garden waste: conventional composting; worm farming; and EM Bokashi. Before starting, you’ll need to think about which option best suits you and what you are going to put in it. You may decide you need more than one option!

Sharewaste connects people who want to recycle their kitchen scraps but don’t have either the space or the time, with local people who are already composting or can use scraps for worm farming or chickens. Sharewaste is supported by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.

If you are accepting other people's food scraps and would like a Sharewaste sticker for your letterbox, contact rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz.

Visit the Sharewaste site to find out more

Conventional Composting

Composting is a process that mimics nature by recycling organic material. It is good for recycling most types of food and garden waste. However, some food groups are not suitable to put in conventional composting bins like meat, fish, oil, bones, fat and dairy products such as cheese. A well-maintained compost bin will normally produce compost in 3-4 months in summer and up to 6 months in winter, although it can take longer depending on what goes into the bin and how often the material is turned.

Worm Farming

Worm farming produces compost using a special type of worms called tiger worms. It is also known as vermiculture or vermicomposting. It works in a very similar way to composting except the system needs to be kept cool (in a shady area in summer) to keep the worms alive as they can’t get away. This is a good option if you have mostly food waste and live somewhere with little or no garden waste. It’s also a good option if you have kids as they’ll enjoy helping with it too!

However, tiger worms can be a little fussy and don’t like spicy food, chilli, onions or garlic; meat and milk products; flour products; large amounts of cooked food; garden waste; shiny paper; citrus or acidic food.

EM Bokashi

EM Bokashi (EM = Effective Micro-organisms) was developed in Japan and literally means ‘fermented organic matter’. It’s a very different system to composting or worm farming and uses a fermented wheat-bran mixture containing effective micro-organisms, which pickles the food waste. It is a good option if you want to recycle almost all types of food waste but garden waste cannot be added. Liquid food waste like milk, orange juice and oils; plastic wrap and meat bones; and shells from seafood should not be included. EM Bokashi produces a compost product within 2-4 weeks after being buried and very little space is required as fermentation takes place in a sealed bucket that can be kept indoors.

Bokashi bucket system

Bokashi was developed in Japan and literally means ‘ fermented organic matter’. A fermented wheat-bran mixture called Compost-Zing is used in a bucket system where food is literally pickled. The final product has a slight sweet/sour smell.

The System

The Bokashi two-bucket system consists of a few simple elements. Two buckets are required, with one nested on top of the other. The top bucket has a tight-fitting lid and holes in its base to drain to the lower bucket. In addition, there is a bag of Compost-Zing made from wheat-bran and untreated sawdust that has been mixed with molasses and water and effective micro-organisms.

You can make your own system as long as it is airtight. Old Paint buckets that have been cleaned out work. Drill holes in the base of the top bucket and sit inside the other one. A good seal is very important.

The benefits

The benefit of this system is that you can add products such as meat and fish, which are discouraged in the usual compost due to vermin and odours.

It produces a compost product within 2-4 weeks after being buried rather than 3 or more months in a compost pile. No space is required as fermentation takes place in the bucket, which makes it ideal for small houses, apartments and schools.

Buckets can be kept indoors as the smell is inoffensive. It keeps food waste out of the landfill and it is good for your plants adding beneficial vitamins to the soil.

Check out our handy guide for how to set up and use a Bokashi system.

Stockists

For Bokashi stockists, refer to the Council's subsidy coupon. Download the composting subsidy voucher or call the Council on +64 3 546 0200.

Worm farms

What is worm farming?

Worm farming uses the same principles as composting, but it does not generate heat, making it cold composting. Value is added to the materials when they are eaten and excreted by the worms. This produces what is called vermicast, or casts, and worm tea which have high levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) compared to ordinary soil. Casts are valuable for leaf growth, root and stem strength and flower and fruit set.

Additional benefits of worm farms

• Casts and worm-tea are fantastic for plants (always dilute the worm-tea to the colour of weak tea – usually about 1:10).
• Kids enjoy them.
• If you have mostly kitchen waste and live in a home with little or no outdoor space, a worm farm is a good option.

Stockists

For worm farm stockists, refer to Council's list of compost/worm bin retailers below, or call us at 03 546 0200.

Check out our handy guide for how to set up and use a worm farm.

Subsidy voucher for compost bins, worm farms, worms and bokashi sets

Compost your kitchen and garden waste, save money and feed your garden!

Grab yourself a coupon, available at the approved retailers listed below, and get $20 off a compost bin, worm farm, worms or bokashi set.

Nelson and Tasman residents are entitled to one subsidy per year per household to a maximum of $20 including gst – this can only be claimed through an approved retailer at point of purchase. The coupon must be filled in with either a Nelson or Tasman street address (PO Box numbers are not accepted).

Coupons are available at the following participating retailers:

Compost / worm bin retailers

Bunnings Warehouse
76 Saxton Road West, Stoke
03 547 1640

CAN PLAN
(hungryBIN worm bins only)
23 Forests Road, Stoke
03 547 0642
canplan.co.nz

Golden Bay Hammer Hardware
4a Commercial Street, Takaka
03 525 7265

Mitre 10 Mega Motueka
235 High Street, Motueka
03 528 9220

Mitre 10 Mega Nelson
99 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook
03 547 0747

The Warehouse Motueka
270 High Street, Motueka
03 528 1079

Local providers of worms

Julie’s Compost Shop
03 544 9872

Community Compost
info@communitycompost.co.nz
Waimarama Community Gardens (please email to request worms)

Bokashi retailers

Bunnings Warehouse
76 Saxton Road West, Stoke
03 547 1640

Mitre 10 Mega Nelson
99 Quarantine Road
Annesbrook
03 547 0747

Bokashi Logic
2 Fry Street, Motueka
020 4008 7487
bokashilogic@gmail.com

EcoWarehouse (buy online)
027 262 1497
ecowarehouse.nz
sales@ecowarehouse.nz

Willow Bank Heritage Village
79 Wakefield-Kohatu Highway, Wakefield
willowbankwakefield.co.nz
willowbank2002@gmail.com