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How The Eco-Eze Compot Works

How The Eco Eze Compot Works

Discover the intricacies of the Eco-Eze Compot with our comprehensive guide, outlining easy steps to install, fill, propagate, empty or relocate your Compot. Explore additional valuable insights in our FAQ section and uncover helpful tips and tricks to enhance your Compot experience. Learn how it works here.

How To Use Compot Compost Bins

To ensure optimal sustainability practices, we advise beginning with one Eco-Eze Compot per person, effectively allocating one for each household member. Plus one for the garden. This initial distribution usually establishes a robust foundation. Should your compost needs exceed this initial estimate, rest assured, extra units are easily accessible. Vegetarians, given their dietary habits and potentially higher compost production, might find that doubling the allocation to two units per person, along with a corresponding amount for the garden, better aligns with their requirements.

Step 1

Dig a Small Hole

To start, dig a hole for each Compot, aiming for a depth of roughly 30cm and positioning them approximately 30cm away from any nearby trees. Depending on your preference or the types of plants you’re cultivating, you can decide where to position the Compots within your ornamental garden or vegetable patch.
If you encounter obstacles such as having no space to dig, soil that’s difficult to work with, or an abundance of tree roots in your garden, consider using the “Super-Fast Composting above Ground with a Compot” method. While this approach mimics the benefits of having a Compot in the ground, it won’t enrich your soil as deeply at the 30cm layer. Nevertheless, it’s a convenient and portable solution that can be placed anywhere in your garden. This allows you to nourish your soil in specific areas of your choosing, observing as the contents gradually blend into the surrounding garden soil.

Step 2

Place Compot

Once you’ve dug the hole, place the Compot inside so that it sits flush with the ground level. This positioning ensures that the Compot blends seamlessly into your garden, making it virtually invisible.
Each Compot has the capacity to fertilize and nourish an area approximately 50cm to 1 meter around it. Over time, this area expands, especially if the Compot remains in the same location and you consistently replenish it to support the worms and other garden critters. It’s essential to keep your garden soil moist, as dry soil hinders the movement of worms.
The Compot is completely portable, but there’s typically no need to relocate it unless you choose to do so. It’s compact and lightweight, making it easy for anyone to move effortlessly.

Step 3

Fill With Organic Matter

Fill your Compot with all your kitchen waste or any other biodegradable materials, including dog waste. You don’t need to chop up the food; simply toss it in. The Soldier Flies, worms and other composting organisms will take care of breaking it down.
For optimal decomposition, consider soaking your scraps in any wastewater you’re disposing of down the drain. This helps soften the waste, initiates the decomposition process, promotes fermentation, and makes it easier for garden critters to break down the material. Bokashi Bran is a good alternative to useing wastewater, but my preference is wastewater.
Rotate filling your pots. By the time you’ve filled your last pot, the first one should have decomposed enough for you to add more waste to it. You don’t have to wait for everything to decompose before topping them up; simply keep adding waste, and the composting process will continue. When the pots reach capacity and you can’t fit any more waste in, allow them to rest for a while to ensure all contents are fully decomposed. Then, remove the soil and begin filling them with waste again.

Notes: Adding Worms to Your Compot

Adding worms to your Compot is unnecessary unless your soil quality is poor, such as sandy or clay soil. Regular earthworms will naturally find their way into your pots. However, if your soil quality is particularly bad or if there are no Soldier Flies in your area, you may consider adding specialized composting worms. If you have Soldier Flies inside your Compot place the worms on the outside of the Compot so they can roam the garden and spread their castings.
You can typically acquire worms from a Garden Club, or you have the option to purchase them online. We now have a supplier who can deliver worms straight to your door. If you reside in Brisbane, you also have the choice to pick them up and save on postage costs.

Step 4

Twist and Lock Lid Into Place

Place the lid into the open slots and twist it clockwise to secure it in place. The lid can be used upright as shown in the picture or inverted.
If your pot is situated near a tree that you typically mow around, invert the lid so you can mow directly over the top of the pot.
The diamond shaped holes in the lid have been removed due to lizards getting trapped inside the pot. Soldier Flies, whose larvae efficiently break down waste, will lay their eggs on whatever covering you put over the lid. These flies are beneficial, so it’s important not to harm them. Their larvae are large and easily distinguishable from maggots as they grow.
If maggots appear in your Compot, there’s no need to worry. They either remain inside and contribute to further composting or become food for other wildlife such as birds and lizards, fostering a mini ecosystem around your pot.

Notes: Covering Your Eco-eze Compots

Cover your Compot with grass clippings, bark, hay, leaves, coconut fibre, bamboo mulch or large garden waste that has been mulched. Avoid covering too thickly with heavy mulch.
Remember not to cover your Compot with soil, as this hinders compost aeration and prevents Soldier Flies from locating the waste efficiently. While your Compot waste will still decompose if covered with soil, it will take significantly longer and be less effective. Covering it with dirt essentially mimics burying it in the ground, resulting in extended decomposition times and potential difficulty locating it.
Avoid using sugar cane mulch, if possible, as it tends to blow away and can attract rats due to its sweet smell. While it may not pose an issue if rats aren’t a concern in your area, when filling a Compot with worm-friendly food, you may attract rats. In this instance you must follow my instructions to ferment your waste. This will deter unwanted garden critters. If you prefer digging holes be sure to bury your waste at least 30 cm deep to prevent odours from reaching the surface. Asses what works best for you in your garden and locality.
The heat generated inside the pot aids in breaking down grass clippings placed on top of the Compot, contributing valuable nitrogen and carbon to the soil while suppressing excessive weed growth. Continuously cover with grass clippings each time you mow your lawn and observe how rapidly the clippings decompose.
If your pot isn’t attracting Soldier Flies, consider uncovering one or two holes in the lid to allow odours to disperse, making them detectable to the flies. Preferably maintain a dark environment inside the pot and prevent the entry of hot or cold air. It may take some time for your pots to acclimate to your area and attract the necessary insects, especially Soldier Flies and worms in the surrounding soil.
While your Compot should not emit odours, it may do so initially as you begin filling it. Ensure it’s adequately covered to filter any odours until it adjusts to your garden. If odour persists, adding cardboard or lime may help mitigate it, although it’s usually unnecessary under normal circumstances. However, in cases of persistent odour or poor drainage, additional measures may be required, such as adding worms and potting mix to facilitate soil aeration and drainage improvement.
If your Compot becomes inundated with liquid, it indicates poor drainage, such as in extremely dense clay soil. Consider relocating the Compot or enhancing drainage by adding potting mix and worms below and around the pot. In cases of hydrophobic soil, adding a small amount of liquid detergent to waste and wastewater can break soil surface tension, allowing water and leachate to penetrate. Opt for biodegradable detergent where possible and refer to FAQ or tips and tricks sections for additional soil improvement methods based on soil type.

Step 5

Rotate to Remove

To remove your pot, simply twist and wiggle it. If it has been in the ground for a long time, you may need to loosen the soil around it by digging a little, as it can become compacted over time. Personally, I rarely move mine unless I’m rearranging the garden, as it involves additional effort and time. It’s similar to digging holes to bury waste, and if you have a small garden, you may eventually run out of space for new holes.
Instead, consider planting a few pots around your garden, rotating filling them, and then leaving them in place permanently. However, if you wish to move them, you can do so easily, as they are very portable and can be removed with a little jiggling.

Notes: Emptying Your Eco-eze Compots

Allow one of your Compots to rest for 4 to 6 weeks before emptying it to ensure all contents have fully decomposed. This guarantees that you spread well-composted soil around your garden.
When emptying your Compot, use a trowel or your hands to dig out the soil, removing any bones and large objects before spreading it in your garden. You can incorporate the bones into the soil to improve aeration but be cautious if you’re mowing over them as they may be flicked out and cause harm. Alternatively, lift the pot out of the ground and distribute the soil around your plants, or use the soil for indoor plants or propagating seeds.
You can use the pot like a sieve by shaking the soil around your garden. This will trap bones and large seeds inside the pot, which you can then dispose of in your bin. Alternatively, you can leave the pot in the ground and scoop the soil out with a trowel or your hands. Whatever method you choose, remember that the soil is very rich, so spread it evenly around your garden. Avoid applying large quantities of soil around the base of a plant, as it may lead to over-fertilization and potentially harm the plant.

Step 6

Reverse the Lid, Fill with Soil, Plant your Seeds

You can utilize your Compot for seed propagation. To do so, reverse the lid and place it in the slots of the Compot. Do not lock the lid in this position, as it will prevent the Compot Top from locking into place.
Next, fill the lid with the composted soil you’ve created or purchase some potting mix. (Note that your composted soil may be very rich, so it’s advisable to mix it with potting mix or garden soil.) Plant your seeds and water to initiate propagation. Once planted, cover the seeds with the Compot Top and your setup is ready for growth.

Notes: Propagating Sensitive Seeds

You can also utilize toilet rolls as a convenient method for seed propagation, and the supply of toilet rolls is virtually endless. Once the seeds have sprouted, simply lift the toilet roll out of the lid and plant it directly in the garden soil.

Step 7

Twist Compot Top into Place

Place your Compot Top over your seedlings atop the lid, applying slight downward pressure as you twist it clockwise to secure it in place. This creates a terrarium-like environment, ensuring your seedlings remain moist and warm, promoting optimal growth.
The heat generated within the pot below also contributes to warming your seedlings. Remember to water your seedlings occasionally. If you notice they are drying out too quickly, it indicates that water is draining too rapidly. In such cases, you can place some paper at the bottom of the lid before filling it with soil, or use organic soil and coconut coir to improve water retention.
Once your seedlings are ready, replant them in your garden.

Notes: Using the Compot Top

The holes in the top of the Compot Top serve dual purposes: allowing gases to escape and enabling water to enter. You can align these holes with the toilet rolls below to facilitate easy watering of the seeds. Therefore, there’s no need to remove the Top when watering your plants, although you have the option to do so. Plants tend to grow faster under the Compot Top, although results may vary depending on factors such as the time of year, your location, climate and the type of plants you’re growing. Gardening often involves some trial and error, but I’ve mostly experienced successes. Give it a try yourself; it’s enjoyable and straightforward, especially for kids.
You can also use your Compot Top directly in your garden to nurture seedlings. Simply plant your seeds, water them, and cover them with the Compot Top. Use the provided stakes to secure the Compot Top in the ground, keeping vermin and birds at bay. Your Compot Top will now function as a terrarium in your garden, creating an ideal environment for seedling growth.

Step 8

Drive in stakes

Use the stakes to anchor the Compot Top directly into the ground when propagating in your garden. This prevents slugs, bugs, birds, and possums from damaging your new seedlings or young plants.
The stakes can also be utilized on the rim of the Compot or inserted through the holes in the base to secure the pot in the ground, preventing dogs from digging it up. However, feedback suggests that large dogs may still pose an issue. If you have large dogs, it’s advisable to avoid putting meat in your Compots or follow the solution outlined in the FAQ section on how to soak your scraps to deter dogs.
If you prefer not to use your Compot for kitchen waste, you can repurpose it for dog waste disposal. Simply place the doggie waste near an ornamental plant rather than in your vegetable patch. If your dog consumes its own waste, you may need to place the Compot in an area inaccessible to the dog. Test it first with both regular and fermented waste, with and without meat, to determine if it effectively deters them. Only you understand your dog’s behaviour best.

Notes

Remember to cover your Pot with grass clippings, leaves, hay, bamboo mulch, coconut fibre or straw. This helps filter any odours (which you shouldn’t be able to smell) and regulates temperature by keeping hot air out in summer and cold air out in winter. Essentially, anything that allows the Pot to breathe can be used as a cover. While not mandatory, this practice significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of waste decomposition.
Avoid covering with dirt or sugar cane mulch.
You can deposit anything into your Compot except chemicals or items treated with chemicals if composting with worms. Soldier Flies can be used to compost chemicals somewhere in your gardne where it won’t affet your plants. Medicated animal excrement is generally acceptable, but it’s best placed near a large tree rather than in your vegetable patch.
Every item placed into your Pot reduces your council waste and methane gas emissions, contributing positively to the environment. Perfection isn’t necessary; simply strive to do your best! 😊

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