Tired of taking garden waste to the tip? Turn leaves, prunings and plant trimmings into nature’s gold by recycling them at home as compost or mulch.

For volumes of waste, a quality chipper or garden shredder is a sound investment and the right machine will pay dividends for years ahead. Choose a machine to suit your garden and tasks; check safety features and quality, blade systems and power. Seek expert advice before you buy and enjoy nature’s gold for seasons to come.

Composting Tips :

• Locate your compost heap in a semi-shaded area, protected from the wind and with space to collect, sort and shred waste.

• Shred or chip material for composting to boost decomposition. The increased surface area is more easily attacked by microbes and other decomposition agents.

• Mix coarse, shredded, ‘carbon-based’ material like twigs and branches with soft green nitrogenous waste such as flowering shrubs and leaves. This ensures good composition to improve compost’s fertilizing qualities.