Create your own compost

Alison Patel writes: Composting a garden need not be expensive and while it may take a little effort, there are plenty of household objects that can be used to create the soil enriching ingredient.

That is according to celebrity gardener Monty Don, who has suggested that wrapping paper, kitchen waste and even old socks can be used to make compost.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Monty explained that while he used to throw Christmas wrapping on the bonfire, he now looks to recycle it.

He explained that it is not always easy but that "you do not ever get something for nothing".

Instead, gardeners are advised that "a little trouble and a little understanding of the process will pay dividends".

The Gardener's World presenter went on to explain that as long as people use materials for compost that are "made from living material", they can't go wrong.

It is a worthwhile exercise because, Monty Don said, it "provides the very best fertiliser and soil conditioner bar none".

The Royal Horticultural Society suggests gardeners who don't have a separate recycling bin for green waste take it to their local civic amenity site as the majority of councils will compost it.

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