Compost is a mixture of organic material and is used as fertiliser. Generally, the ingredients used to make compost come from our gardens and kitchens (food scraps) although organic material is anything that was once living. Compost results from the eventual decomposition or break down of the ingredients. It can take anywhere between two and 18 months before compost is ready to use. The length of time is governed by the method employed, what gets put into the bin, the time of year and how often the material is turned.