THE Jacksons, from Great Ayton, are planning on doing a lot of renovations to the garden this year and anticipate plenty of clippings and organic matter.

Rather than ferrying the waste to the tip they fancy trying composting it, but would like some advice as to the different forms of composting.

COMPOST heaps can come in many different forms, from holding units and turning units, heaps to soil incorporation, and even worm composting. The method will depend on when the finished compost is desired, the materials to be used and the space available.

Composting is a natural biological process where bacteria, fungi and other organisms decompose organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings and food wastes. While composting occurs naturally, the process can be accelerated and improved by human intervention.

Containers or bins that hold kitchen and garden materials until composting is complete are called holding units. Allow six months to two years without turning. They are easy to build and the least labour intensive.

They are also good for small amounts of garden wastes, but this is the slowest way to make compost.

A rotating bin that allows organic material to be turned on a regular schedule is classed as a rotating unit.

With a substantial input of labour, a large volume of garden waste can be composted in a relatively short time (three weeks to six months). Turning bins can require a greater expense to buy or effort to build.

Food wastes can be digested by red worms (tiger or banded worms) placed in a compost bin with shredded and moistened newspaper, corrugated cardboard and sawdust.

This generally requires temperatures to remain above freezing so a polytunnel, greenhouse, porch or semi-heated indoor space is needed.

Small amounts of worms turn fruit and vegetable scraps into a high-quality soil improver in a relatively quick space of time.

No structure at all is required for “heap” composting. The pile should be at least 3ft high and 3ft wide. It is the least expensive way to compost as no physical structure is needed.

Heaps may not appear as neat and tidy as using a bin. Composting will be faster if the heap is turned regularly and covered with an old carpet or something similar.

Jobs this week

■ Broad beans can be set away under cover, in a greenhouse, conservatory or on a windowsill, as can onion seeds and leeks.

■ Stay off lawns and grassy areas until the melt water from the snow has dissipated.

■ Check paving slabs for movement and lift after the last month of prolonged frosts.

Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm. Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk during the week, or texting 07786-200995 or phoning 01642-225511 during the show. Letters can be addressed to Lazy Dayz,10 Farm Road, Houghall, Durham, DH1 3SF.