COMPOSTING

DISCOUNTED COMPOST BINS - SPECIAL OFFER!

Have you ever tried home composting? It's easy, good for the environment and produces a nutrient rich compost that is perfect for flower beds and vegetable gardens.

The Department of Local Government and the Environment is working in partnership with Eden Park Garden Centre, Braddan (Tel: 616116) to provide discounted home compost units to local residents, following the success of last year's scheme.

Compost bins are available in 2 sizes:

220 Litre ONLY £16.50 (RRP £30)

330 Litre ONLY £22.00 (RRP £40)

Composter bases ONLY £10 - These bases provide a secure composting environment and improve aeration and drainage which speeds up the composting process.

All compost bins and bases are made from 100% recycled black plastic.

ADD PEAT-FREE POWER TO YOUR FLOWERS

Whether planting up patio pots, digging into flowerbeds or improving the soil in vegetable plots, peat-free compost is the perfect choice. But, because not all compost is the same, it is not always easy to know which is the most environmentally-friendly option for our gardens and our environment. Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you make the right choices:

Q	What is peat-free compost?
A	Peat-free compost contains recycled materials such as bark, plants, tree and grass cuttings which provide a rich source of organic matter and does not contain peat.
Q	Why use peat-free?
A	Peat bogs are superb environments for a unique selection of specially adapted wildlife including carnivorous plants, colourful bog mosses, beautiful dragonflies, rare insects and a wide range of birds. These peatlands are now very rare in the UK: 94% have now been lost. Today, lowland peat bogs and *wildlife species are threatened through peat extraction for garden composts* and other uses. *Peatland wildlife depends on peat for its survival* and it is essential that we protect this unique natural resource. The good news is that gardeners can choose alternatives. Peat-free doesnt cost the earth and is the perfect solution for the environmentally aware gardener.
Q	How can I get peat-free compost on the Isle of Man?
A	i) Make it yourself and compost at home. Discounted compost bins are available at Eden Park Garden Centre, Braddan (Tel: 616116). Compost bins are available in 2 sizes (220Litre @ £16.50 and 330 Litre @ £22) and come with an instruction leaflet. ii) Buy locally produced peat-free compost. Ballaneven Organic Compost Ltd (Tel: 451796) makes ECOMANN peat-free compost in St. Johns. It is produced via the Windrow system, reaching temperatures of up to 80 degrees to make a clean, high quality, weed and seed-free compost. It is available in 25 Litre bags from a range of local outlets and via free home delivery. iii) Buy peat-free compost from your local garden centre or retail outlet. Please remember - ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL and ALWAYS BUY PEAT-FREE.