Make Your Own Garden Gold
Compost

Making your own compost is not only an asset to the garden but fun and gratifying as well.
Easier than you might think,
natural compost is one of the best amendments for your garden and flower beds.

improves soil fertility loosens clay soil, improving drainage helps sandy soil retain moisture stimulates root development, for stronger healthier plants keeps yard waste from heading to the already brimming landfills

Yard waste:

• Grass Clippings - if you have a lawn mower that bags them up or you can simply rake the lawn after a mulching mower
• Fall Leaves - use equal amounts of this brown material and green material like grass, and other vegetation
• Spent Perennial Tops - after trimming or pruning back this material will break down nicely
  
• Pruned Limbs - woody stems will break down slower than foliage, break or shred if possible
  
• Oak Leaves = decompose slowly but add a nice acidity to compost
  
• Pine Needles = add acidity to compost
  
• Old Mulch - when you are ready to add fresh much you can rake up a bit of the old, which is probably already decomposing , and add it to the composter
  any non-diseased plant material

Kitchen & Home waste:

• Vegetable Peels - potato, carrot any vegetable without meat or dairy
  
• Coffee Grounds and the Filters - these break down well, if you drink alot or coffee then your acid loving plants will love the compost you give them
  
• Corn Cobs and Husks = the smaller you can break these down, the faster they will decompose
  
• Egg shells = a good source of nutrients but they break down slowly. Get the kids involved in the garden by giving them a pair of safety goggles and an old rubber mallet and they will have a great time smashing shells down as small as you like. You can even get them all done at one time if you simply store shells back in the carton in the refrigerator until you are ready to add to the composter.
  
• Newspaper = can be composted a bit at a time to add bulk to the finished product
  
• Sawdust and Wood Shavings = be sure these are from untreated wood, chemicals and preservative are the enemy of good compost

Other materials:
Algae, Seaweed, Moss even Dryer Lint can be added to the composter and broken down in garden gold

Ad Organica Compost Activator to your Compost bin to speed up the decomposition process. the activato reduces odors and helps to create a nutrient rich humus compost by inhibiting the volitization of amonia.

* The smaller you can shred or break up the materials before adding to the compost bin the better, smaller pieces decompose faster and more evenly. Toss dry grass clippings, leaves and newspapers into piles and simply mow over them. Be careful to start with shallow piles and move slowly back and forth.

* Never add animal droppings unless the animal is vegetarian. Never place weeds with seed head, perennials roots or diseased plant material in the composter. Avoid meat and dairy, as they often develop non-beneficial microbes, and can attract pests to the composter.

To enrich your soil, spread 2 to 3 inches of compost over the newly dug surface and work down into about 6 inches of the top. Well maintained garden soil will require only about 1/2 inch of compost each year to keep it stocked with fresh nutrients.
there is no wrong time to apply compost to the garden, If you spread compost in the fall cover it with mulch r leaves and let nature work it down into the soil for you. You may also spread compost in the spring about 2 weeks before you are ready to plant, but you will need to work it down in yourself.
For new lawns, spread out a 2-3 inch layer of compost work down into the soil and lay sod over the top. If you keep the fresh sod watered properly the added nutrients provided by healthy organic compost will give get your lawn off to a healthier and stronger start. Once established the lawn will need no more than about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to maintain soil quality. Apply this in the fall o that nature can work it down in for you and spring growth will have a boost.
Trees and shrubs will benefit from a nice dose of compost. Spread about an inch of compost out to the drip line and cover with mulch or leaves.
New plantings will get the best start if you add compost to the soil mixture in the planting hole. Trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals alike will benefit from the natural and easy to access nutrients provided.

Compost contains virtually all the nutrients a living plant could need. It packs a slow-release whopper that feeds your plants season after season. This ultimate garden fertilizer will enliven any type of soil.