| Compost is a multifunctional substance in the garden. | | | | Although there are some concerns that compost may |
| While many people consider compost to be a useful | | | | spread weed seeds throughout the garden, if you |
| addition to garden soil, compost can be used for much | | | | make sure that you don't put any invasive plants into |
| more than simply adding new soil to the garden. | | | | the bin then this should not be much of a problem. |
| Compost is not just soil, it's not just fertilizer, and it's not | | | | Mulch with compost on top of the soil. |
| just a soil amendment. It is all of these things, and you | | | | Using Compost as a Soil Amendment in Gardens and |
| can make it for free. | | | | Containers |
| Compost is Great Organic Fertilizer | | | | Compost is a fantastic soil amendment. Unlike many |
| Those who make compost may do it to get rid of | | | | commercial garden soils, compost is chunky, and that is |
| home and yard waste, but they often do it to create | | | | a good thing. Chunks of organic material add air |
| excellent garden soil as well. Compost is full of | | | | pockets to the soil and create places for water to |
| microorganisms and invertebrates that do wonders for | | | | trickle in. |
| your soil. | | | | The soil becomes more open and porous and rich. If |
| It's a rich source of nutrients, including major nutrients | | | | your soil needs bulk and is flat and compacted, then |
| like nitrogen and phosphorus and micronutrients like | | | | compost is an excellent choice for a soil amendment. |
| manganese and iron that aren't often found in | | | | Making Compost Tea |
| commercial fertilizers. | | | | What is compost tea? It's a nutritious drink for your |
| Using Compost as Erosion Control | | | | plants, and it can also act as a natural cocktail to help |
| Compost can actually act as an erosion control | | | | plants that are struggling in the garden. |
| against wind and rain, protecting the other soil | | | | Make compost tea by soaking a bag of compost in a |
| underneath. As a soil amendment, it improves the | | | | bucket with a bubbler for several days, so that the |
| porosity of the soil, which means that rainwater will | | | | compost tea does not become anaerobic. Then use |
| soak into the soil rather than running over compacted | | | | the tea as a spray or feed it to plants as a liquid |
| soil. | | | | vitamin for plants that are struggling. You can also use |
| Compost can also be used as a blanket on top of the | | | | compost tea to help new plants establish with vigor. |
| soil or in berms along the side of a larger garden. The | | | | Compost is much more than soil. It is a wonderful soil |
| compost protects the soil underneath. | | | | amendment, erosion control and mulch that can be |
| Compost Can Act as a Mulch, Too! | | | | used to create strong, healthy plants that will resist |
| Rough compost is a perfect mulch. The purpose of | | | | disease and produce well in the garden. |
| mulch is to protect the soil from weeds, winter rains, | | | | Which of these ways will you be using your compost? |
| and the elements. It also enriches the soil. | | | | |