THE BLOG: let's talk gardening

Try composting at home... the Earth will love you AND so will your plants! Along with water conservation and fuel efficiency, composting at home is one of the most environmentally beneficial activities. Finished compost is a nutritious fertilizer for gardens, buffering the soil pH and helping to retain water in the soil.

Compost is a mixture of organic material and comes from the Latin word meaning “to put together.” And, that is exactly what happens when we compost-we put together materials to make a soil amendment or fertilizer for plants. Soil can always be improved with additional organic matter and recycling organic matter through composting is very important if you want a healthy garden.

Natural composting began with the first plants on earth and continues today. As vegetation falls to the ground, it slowly begins to decay, providing minerals and nutrients needed for plants, animals, and microorganisms. By composting you can help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, suppress plant disease, cost-effectively remediate soils and produce healthier fruit, veggies and flowers. It costs very little to compost, aside from the initial investment in a composter, bin or pail.

Since compost is a mix of a variety of materials, we suggest using the following items in your home composter.

Soft and Green Items (these are nitrogen rich)
• fruit and vegetable peels
• grass clippings
• green leaves
• coffee grounds
• peat moss
• seedless weeds
• eggshells

Hard and Brown Items (these are nitrogen poor)
• wood chips
• ground-up twigs
• sawdust
• pruning scraps
• brown leaves
• straw
• shredded bark

A compost bin should be filled with alternating layers of soft/green matter and hard/brown matter. It will take approximately 4 months for organic matter to start breaking down. After 4 months, the organic matter should be ready to spread into your garden or on top of established beds. It’s best to use the compost as soon as it is ready because it will continue to break down overtime – losing essential nutrients. Your finished product is a rich and crumbly layer of organic matter. Put your compost to work as a potting mix or soil amendment. It is especially great for veggie gardens.

Go organic in your garden this spring!

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, April 20, 2011 }