What Is Compost
In the dictionary, when you look up compost it says something like this, “a mix of decomposing organic matter, such as from leaves and manure.” But that definition doesn’t tell the whole story. Compost is much more than that. And if you have a vegetable garden, flower garden, shrubs, trees or house plants, then you should learn more about compost.
Using compost in the garden has been done in some form for centuries now. Back when we didn’t have big fertilizer companies selling products in every big box store around, farmers made due with what they had. Most of them had yard waste and or manure. When you let nature take it’s course and let leaves, grass clippings, vegetable peels, coffee grinds and other stuff that usually goes in the garbage, you’ll end up with nutrient rich compost. Compost is great to plants and the soil.
Creating compost is a slow process that will usually take a few months. The correct ratio of browns to green, diligently turning a compost pile to keep it aerated and watching the moisture content will reward with fresh earthy compost much faster. The more attention you pay your compost pile, the quicker your garden scraps will become compost. And even if ignore your pile, you’ll still get compost eventually. Just look at the soil next time you go into the woods. There’s no one out there tending to the forest and yet the ground will probably be made up of dark, rich soil.
Still not convinced that compost will give you the best looking garden on the street? Well all you have to do is try it and you’ll be sold. Your flowers will be bigger and healthier and your vegetables will thank you. Adding synthetic chemical fertilizers will give you plants a quick boost that results in some rapid growth. But pests and insects are most attracted to that new growth. It’s better in the long run to have slow growing, health pest free plants. And most fertilizers break down in the soil in the form of salt. After a few years, you won’t be able to grow anything without using fertilizer and that’s what the fertilizer companies want.
From an environmental point of view using compost in the garden is a great alternative to fertilizers. The process of making fertilizers on an industrial scale uses a lot of energy and creates a lot of waste. Composting is free and all you need is the stuff that you were probably going to throw away anyway.
Compost is not only great for your plants but it’s great for your soil and even for the environment. They say that in the United States that 30% of all garbage is lawn and garden waste. Instead of putting those leaves and grass clippings out at the curb they could be composted. That would not only cut down on the space needed in land fills but it would make everyone’s gardens grow bigger, healthier and less dependent on synthetic fertilizers.
Building a compost bin is a great way to create your own supply of compost in your very own backyard. Why not let your garden waste decay and break down into it’s more useful form and enjoy some of the benefits of compost.
