Hello to all those interested in composting. My name is Marlene Taylor, and I offer help and advice on home composting to all the residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. My aim is to make you as enthusiastic about home composting as I am.

Having already helped so many residents learn about making their own compost, I would really like the opportunity to chat with you about it. Why not come along to any of the following shows or events to see the range of bins we can offer you at fantastically low prices. I am more than happy to talk you through the process and answer queries you might have. Making your own compost really is easy, and you'll be amazed at the great results you will get in your garden because of it. 

If you are organising your own event, and would like me to come along to promote home composting, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail.

Please spare a thought for your garden friend, the humble hedgehog. It was once thought that they'd all be hibernating by the end of October, when in fact, many are still out in December, and some even until January when the hard frosts descend. They hibernate as a last resort when their natural food supply has all but disappeared. Your warm compost heap makes an ideal nest for these vulnerable little animals looking for a quiet place to curl up and hibernate. Please refrain from turning your entire compost heap over at this time of year. This could injure or kill your little visitors who help keep the number of pests in your garden in check in a pesticide-free way. Hopefully you will have struck a good balance between "GREENS" (nitrogen-rich waste) and "BROWNS" (carbon-rich waste) in your bin already which will help keep the pile aerated as it settles, reducing the need to turn the pile anyway.

Late April is the best time to consider disturbing the contents of your bin, when the hedgehogs are likely to have risen from hibernation. If hedgehogs are frequent visitors in your garden, why not leave a little corner of your garden to grow wild. A loose pile of logs or branches with loose leaves on top might be an ideal alternative for hedgehogs (and even a bumble bee or two). In late spring when you're emptying your compost heap, perhaps consider lining your compost bin or heap with some wire mesh to keep unwitting hedgehogs out of your compost heap, and hopefully encourage them to hibernate in the make-shift nest you have provided them with. You could even make a dedicated hedgehog home using the simple instructions supplied by St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital (http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/).

Any underweight (less than 600g) hedgehogs spotted roaming about from October onwards should be weighed, and if deemed necessary, be taken to St Tiggywinkles (in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire) for assistance, or contact your local wildlife rescue centre for advice. Due to milder winters, a growing number of baby hedgehogs are being born later in the year and have no hope of making the necessary weight before the onset of winter, so will need your assistance. Sick, underweight or injured hedgehogs should NOT be allowed to hibernate, as they will not survive the winter. Even well-intentioned composters can play such an important role in helping the gardeners' best friend make it through increasingly difficult times. More advice is available from St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital on 01844 292292.

Most of you probably rake up the majority of the autumn leaf fall but wonder what you can do with it. If you have a lot of leaves, why not try making wonderful leafmould from it. It couldn't be easier. Water over any dry leaves, then simply bag them up in bin liners, pop some holes in the bag, and leave the bags down the bottom of the garden for about 2 years to render beautiful leafmould. Even easier, run over the leaves with a lawn mower, thereby chopping up the leaves into smaller pieces to help them rot quicker. You'll also take the backache out of raking them up, because all you need do is empty the lawn mower trap which will be full of lovely chopped up leaves, into bin liners. Once rotted down somewhat, this makes a fantastic mulch. Smaller quantities of leaves can go straight into your compost bin (if there still happens to be room left in it after a busy summer of composting) and help keep your worms warm, happy and well fed.