Wild About Gardens, for the benefit of people and wildlife

Create a compost caf�

Besides being one of the most positive things anyone with a garden can do to reduce landfill and enrich their soil, compost heaps are wildlife attractors in their own right. Not only do they develop their own community of minibeasts who help the decay process along; they can also become a sheltering place for small animals such as mice, hedgehogs and even nesting grass snakes.

This is partly because of their warmth, but also because they contain and generate food. To a hedgehog, a tasty worm, fat slug or juicy beetle is irresistible.

Compost itself is great for garden plants. It improves soil structure, increases beneficial fungi and helps retain water.

A 2002 study by the Waste and Resources Action Programme looked at data from 70 municipal authorities. It concluded that the only factor which significantly reduced waste sent to landfill was home composting.

Buying a compost bin

In an attempt to reduce landfill, many local councils offer compost bins at discount prices (sometimes as little as �12). There are all kinds of designs but the most important factor is to place your bin on soil rather than concrete. Bins with a door at the bottom look clever but don't really work; it's more practical to let an entire heap rot down, then remove the bin and barrow it away. For this reason you really need two or more heaps. That way, one's cooking whilst another is 'work in progress'.

If space is tight, you'll find a square bin better than a round one. For some reason, these are often more expensive. Building your own bin is straightforward: all you need is something to contain the composting materials, and a lid to keep the rain off. If you've got a few pallets, a crowbar and a hammer and nails, you can do it in an afternoon