Compost Collection (page 6)

Grass cuttings on garden compost heap, Suffolk, England, october

Biodegradable bag with fruit peelings for compost heap, England

Composting. Vegetable peelings being tipped into a compost bin

Vegetable peelings and other kitchen waste in a compost bin

Leaf mould heap. Leaf mould is a type of compost formed predominately from decomposed leaves. The material beneath the top layer of grass cuttings and leaves has begun to decompose (bottom)

Leaf compost. Jute bag containing oak leaves (Quercus rober). Once rotted, the decomposed leaves form a useful garden mulch

Composting vegetation. Compost is a mixture of decaying organic matter. It is used in gardens to improve soil structure and provide nutrients

Decomposition
Decompositon. Water vapour rising from decaying organic matter on an active (hot) compost heap. This heat is a by-product of the breakdown of the organic matter by microbes living in the compost heap

Compost heap. Vegetables and kitchen waste in a compost container. Waste such as this decomposes over time to be recycled as compost

Biopile hydrocarbon pollution clean-up
Biopile. This is a facilities that economically clean up soils that have been contaminated with hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuels

Potatoes eaten by pests
Harvested organic potatoes (Solanum tuberosum Cherie ). These potatoes have been eaten by agricultural pests, such as rats or mice, while they were still in the ground

Organic onion (Allium cepa White Prince ) in a vegetable garden. The yellow leaves indicate that the onion is ready for harvest

Organic onions (Allium cepa White Prince ) in a vegetable garden. Onions are used as ingredients in cooking and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including potassium

Compost made from kitchen waste. Compost is a mixture of decaying organic matter used in gardens to improve soil structure and provide nutrients

Onions (Allium cepa Red Sun )
Organic onions (Allium cepa Red Sun ) in a vegetable garden

Brandling worms in compost
Brandling worms (Eisenia foetida) in compost, photographed in Sweden

Swede seedlings (Brassica napus) growing in a bag of compost. The compost provides nutrients for the plants. Swedes are a root vegetable, but its leaves are also edible

Ageratum houstonianum
Ageratum flowers (Ageratum houstonianum)

Decaying leaves for compost. Decaying oak leaves (Quercus robur) in a wire container. Once these leaves have decayed, they can be used as a compost known as leaf mould

Gardener with a tray of seed pots
Gardener holding a tray of biodegradable seed pots. Image 2 of 2. To see a sequence of the process, see B861/224 and B861/225

Gardener sowing seeds in biodegradable pots. Image 1 of 2. To see a sequence of the process, see B861/224 and B861/225

Plastic Compost Bin in garden corner - UK
SG-20191 Plastic Compost Bin in garden corner UK Ardea London Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Black compost bin with active worm population Cotswolds UK
MAB-874 Black compost bin with active worm population Cotswolds UK Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Compost / Wormery - closeup of worms amongst variety of kitchen waste including vegetable peelings cardboard
MAB-394 Compost / Wormery - closeup of worms amongst variety of kitchen waste including vegetable peelings cardboard and fruit peelings in top of black plastic recycled composting bin UK Mark Boulton

Grass snake - Single adult buried in compost heap, Wiltshire, England, UK
DK-92 Grass snake - Single adult buried in compost heap, Wiltshire, England, UK Natrix natrix David Kilbey Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Manure on a farm in Leicestershire. The livestock industry is a driver of climate change as it is both C02 and methane
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

A cone food waste digester in a garden in Ambleside, Lake District, UK. Composting your green waste prevents grennhouse
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Free range hens and a hen house in the rydal Hall Community Vegetable Garden, near Ambleside, Cumbria
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Chard growing in Rydal Hall Community Vegetable Garden in the grounds of Rydal Hall near Ambleside, Lake District, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Rydal Hall Community Vegetable Garden in the grounds of Rydal Hall near Ambleside, Lake District, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Seedlings being grown in Rydal Community Vegetable Garden near Ambleside, Lake District, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

A compost bin in a garden in Ambleside, Lake District, UK. Composting your green waste prevents grennhouse gas
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

A compost heap
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Mature compost full of red worms, UK - at base of compost bin made of recycled plastic in garden in Cotswolds, UK
MAB-39 Mature compost full of red worms UK Cotswolds, UK at base of compost bin made of recycled plastic in garden Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

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"From Kitchen Scraps to Nutrient-Rich Soil: The Magic of Compost" In the heart of Cotswolds, UK, a black plastic composting bin stands tall, brimming with potential. Inside this 220-liter container made from 100% recycled plastic by Blackwall, a bustling community thrives. A closer look reveals an intricate network of worms wriggling through a variety of kitchen waste – vegetable and fruit peelings mingling with cardboard scraps. These diligent worms are nematodes, captured in stunning detail under the lens of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their tireless efforts transform discarded organic matter into dark, rich compost – nature's own recycling system at work. Composting is not a new concept; it has been practiced for centuries. An ancient woodcut engraving depicts shepherds tending to their flock while surrounded by perils at sea. This illustration comes from "Le Grand Kalendrier et Compost des Bergiers, " printed in Troyes around 1490 – evidence that even our ancestors recognized the value of composting. In modern times, compost heaps take on various forms. In wild areas adorned with nettles and other plants thriving on nutrient-rich soil, wooden planks and posts create sturdy enclosures for decomposing organic matter. These humble structures serve as havens for countless microorganisms breaking down garden waste into precious humus. A cross-section illustration unveils the inner workings of a blue plant pot layered meticulously to ensure optimal drainage and growth conditions. Gravel provides stability at the base while turves and nutrient-rich compost nurture plants above ground level—a testament to how thoughtful design can enhance gardening success. Across continents in Issaquah, Washington State USA, rows of plastic watering cans stand ready for hand-watering gardens nurtured by this very same composted goodness. As gardeners tend to their green spaces using these tools inspired by practicality and convenience alike—compost remains the backbone of their thriving plants.