A garden compost is a mixture of organic materials, such as leaves, straw, and sawdust. It contains about one part carbon and thirty parts nitrogen. Carbon-rich materials include tree trimmings, leaves, and straw, and nitrogen-rich materials include lawn clippings, kitchen scraps, and plant trimmings.
Ingredients
Garden compost is a byproduct of organic matter decaying in a compost pile. This process happens naturally. However, it is possible to speed up the process by adding specific ingredients and ensuring proper pile structure. There are only five essential ingredients you need for a successful compost pile. However, if you’re not familiar with these ingredients, you may use them in the wrong way.
Vegetable peelings, fruit peels, vegetable cores and grass cuttings are good ingredients to include. However, do not include seeds. Other good ingredients for composting are fast-breaking organic materials. The main purpose of adding fast-breaking organics is to provide nitrogen and moisture to the compost. Other useful ingredients include egg boxes, scrunched paper, fallen leaves and manure from herbivores.
The compost pile must be placed in a sunny spot to maximize its effectiveness. However, it should be shaded in the afternoon during hotter periods of the year. In addition, it must be damp enough to drip and keep the materials from drying out. If you add straw and other dry materials, remember to wet them first before adding them to the compost pile. This will help the compost pile cook faster and prevent any unwanted odor. Besides, you’ll save money as compared to purchasing compost from the store.
The compost pile should contain about six to eight inches of organic material. Do not pack the pile tightly; this will restrict airflow and reduce the amount of oxygen available for the bacteria. Besides organic materials, you should also add some starter materials, such as animal manures, fertilizers, and commercial starters, to help the pile heat up. The starter materials also add nitrogen and introduce microorganisms to the compost. However, it is best to avoid using soil that contains pesticides or sterile potting soil.
Compost is made by breaking down kitchen and garden waste. It also contains humus, which helps improve the soil’s fertility. It also improves the population of soil microbes, which are essential to the soil food web. They excrete nutrients to plants and produce sticky secretions that bind soil particles. It also helps hold moisture.
Methods
There are various methods for making compost. One way is to use a heavy-duty garbage can. If the lid can be secured, then you can fill it with a mixture of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials. Make sure that the material is moist and contains air holes. Place the bin at a temperature of 110 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or 43 to 60 degrees Celsius. You can also add organic fertilizers and soft green ingredients to the pile.
Another method is to mix garden soil with brown and green organic materials. You can use kitchen scraps and animal manure. You can also use grass clippings. Once the materials are in the pile, mix them with garden soil. Avoid large woody items, though. In addition, it helps to bury kitchen scraps at the center of the pile to prevent pests from eating them. Then, cover the pile with a plastic bag and place it in a warm place.
In order to make compost that is healthy and safe for the soil, it should contain equal proportions of nitrogen, carbon, and water. A good ratio is two to three parts carbon to one part nitrogen by volume. Some of the best composting ingredients are woody branches, shredded brown paper, hay, straw, and shredded newspapers. Other good materials for composting include kitchen scraps, animal manures, shredded newspaper, grass clippings, and grass clippings.
It is best to use organic materials for composting. This helps the soil hold water and oxygen. It also allows for better air circulation. Bacteria are the real workers in the compost process. Bacteria help decompose plant material and produce heat. To speed up the composting process, you can add soil or finished compost to the pile. You can also buy commercial starters to get a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your pile.
Another method is to use leaves. Leaves are rich in nutrients that can be used as a “tea” for plants. You can soak the leaves in water for three days and then toss them into the pile. You can also use the water from the leaves to water your plants and shrubs. You should remember that a healthy compost is good for your plants and is worth the extra effort.
Using it in the garden
Using garden compost in the garden is a great way to add nutrients to the soil, improve the soil’s pH, and attract healthy natural soil organisms. In addition, compost can aid in the care of your plants by attracting worms and soldier flies, which feed on organic materials. Moreover, finished compost poses no health risks, and just a few inches of it can help your garden.
Compost piles should be built with a layer of course material on the bottom to promote drainage and aeration. Once the pile is completed, it can be topped up periodically with garden soil. By the following spring, compost will have mixed with the soil. Moreover, this method is highly beneficial for vegetable gardeners as compost will improve the taste and size of the vegetables grown.
When adding compost to a new garden, it is best to add a couple of inches to the soil. This helps ensure even distribution and better soil incorporation. After the compost is thoroughly incorporated, it can be applied to the plant’s root zone or applied as mulch around the plants. This will not only add nutrients but also reduce evaporation of the topsoil and keep the soil temperature uniform.
Adding it to fertilizer
Adding garden compost to fertilizer is a great way to improve the quality of your soil. This compost is rich in micronutrients that will benefit your plants. It contains trace amounts of nitrogen and is helpful to soil bacteria. You can also add bone meal to your compost to improve the quality. Adding bone meal to your compost pile won’t negatively impact your compost pile, so you can use it with confidence.
Before adding garden compost to your fertilizer, you should first prepare your compost pile. Ensure that it contains a layer of at least 6 to 8 inches of organic matter. You can add shredded materials as these break down more quickly than coarse materials. You can also add grass clippings in layers of about 2 to 3 inches thick, or combine them with coarser materials. Once you have completed the pile, you can add mulch, which should be moist without being saturated.
