A well-made and productive compost heap is a satisfactory affair, affording the keeper an air of quiet superiority. There is plenty of surplus foliage around now to get a new one started. Ideally, the heap should be framed in well-ventilated timber and raised a little off the ground, perhaps on some old bricks. Build up layers of plant material chopped into even pieces, and weigh them down as the heap rises. Keep it moist, not wet or dry, and start the decay process by applying a high-nitrogen ingredient. A small quantity of human urine is ideal-applied discreetly, of course.
* Gardening calendar: October jobs
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A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
