In the age of sustainability, there is no greater reward for your garden than recycling kitchen waste and turning it into nutrients for your garden.

Establishing a compost system is not as difficult as it sounds, and certainly does not require a lot of room.

Firstly, choose a unit appropriate for your space to hold your chosen materials. It may be as small as an ice cream container or plant pot, or as large as a designated compost bin - usually ranging between 200 and 400 litres.

If required, line the container with black plastic, and then begin your first layer. Start with a covering of chopped leaves, grass clippings and kitchen waste like banana peels, eggshells, old lettuce leaves, apple cores and coffee grounds.

Add materials until you have a 15cm section, then cover with an equal amount of soil, manure or finished compost.

Continue alternating between the layers, turning occasionally with a pitchfork (or other pronged instrument). A pile that is turned regularly will become finished compost in four to eight months.

Your compost may also benefit from the addition of worms or a compost activator such as alfalfa meal, bonemeal, cottonseed meal or blood meal. Sprinkle between layers and water well.