If you’re looking for ways to improve the quality of your plants, consider adding compost to your garden. Compost will add important nutrients and organic matter, encouraging healthy plants and soil. If you aren’t sure where to start, let us help!
What is Compost?
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer or soil amendment. Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter, such as leaves and mixed food scraps. The end result is a nutrient-rich material that can be used to improve the quality of your soil.
There are many benefits to adding compost to your garden. Compost can improve the drainage of your soil, help to prevent erosion, and increase the amount of water that your plants can retain. Compost also provides a slow release of nutrients, which can help to reduce the need for commercial fertilizers.
How to Make Compost
There are a variety of ways to make compost. If you have a backyard, you can simply start a compost pile or purchase a compost bin. For those who live in an apartment, you can use your balcony space for a compost bin if the property allows it.
The key to making good compost is to create a balance of carbon and nitrogen-rich materials. Carbonaceous materials, such as leaves and wood chips, provide the carbon needed for the composting process. Nitrogen-rich materials, such as food scraps and grass clippings, provide the nitrogen needed for the microbes that break down the organic matter.
It is also important to keep your compost moist but not wet. The microbes that break down the organic matter need oxygen to do their work, so make sure your compost is aerated. You can do this by turning it with a shovel every few weeks.
When your compost is rich dark brown and crumbles, it is ready to be used. It should look like a dark soil, and you’ll want to make sure you cannot see any food remains.
If you don’t live in an environment conducive to making your compost, it is available to purchase at Keleny. Take a look at what kinds of compost is available at your local landscaping store and choose what will be best for the types of plants you have.
Adding Compost to Your Garden
Once you have ready-to-go compost, it’s time to add it to your garden. The best time to add compost is in the spring or fall when plants are actively growing. You can add compost around the base of your plants, or mix it into the top layer of your soil. When planting in pots, you can mix the compost in with your soil before adding your plants.
When adding compost to your garden, be sure not to overdo it. Compost is very concentrated and adding too much can damage your plants. A general rule of thumb is to add no more than one inch of compost per square foot of the garden.
Mix Your Compost with the Best Quality Soil
When planning out your garden for the year, make sure you are mixing your compost with high-quality soil. Turn to our expert team at Keleny Top Soil for your garden supplies and knowledge.