A Fresh Heap of Compost

Do you know what compost is? I am often surprised to find out how many people have not heard of it! Compost is simply comprised of decomposing organic materials. This consists of some food waste, scraps from the yard and garden, and other bits of organic matter. Compost is the best soil conditioner any gardener could add to produce a much more bountiful harvest. Now who wouldn't want that for their garden?

Compost serves many wonderful purposes in our gardens. It improves soil texture, helps to retain moisture in our gardens, aids in drainage and increases the overall fertility of the soil. Compost is not considered to be a fertilizer, as it is so very rich and diverse in nutrients that it is considered to be more of a soil conditioner. Often times, no fertilizers are necessary when compost is added regularly to the garden.

Food waste to include in the compost:

• Wet (green) material
• vegetable peelings
• green plant pieces

• Dry material
• shredded leaves
• grass clippings
• dry weeds

What not to incluse in the compost:

• anything with fats and oils
• meat scraps and bones
• seeds, fruit pits, these may bring critters
• diseased or pest infested plants
• human or pet waste
• anything treated with herbicides or pesticides

It is crutial for the compost to have a balance of wet and dry layers. This will allow for an adequate balance between nitrogen and carbon. I have been told that rock powder can be added to enrich the soil, but to be honest with you, I have never done this and my compost has worked beautifully for the last several years. The finished compost will look dark in color and crumbly. Compost is great for all types of plants. A layer can be spread over the entire garden. I often times will use a large portion of the compost I have and till it into my garden in the early spring. Throughout the rest of late spring and early summer I place a mound of compost around the base of the plants to act as a mulch. Then, after the harvest is over, I spread some more compost over the surface of the garden to serve almost as blanket throughout the fall, allowing the soil to rest and slowly absorb the nutrients over the winter.