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Compost is the Best Supplement for Your Garden Soil

Written by Amir Tajer

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Posted on May 23 2015

Composting is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. It's also free, easy to make and good for the environment.

Composting Benefits

Image source: Trusty Joe

  • Soil conditioner: With compost, you are creating rich humus for lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil.
  • Recycles kitchen and yard waste: Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can.
  • Introduces beneficial organisms to the soil: Microscopic organisms in compost help aerate the soil, break down organic material for plant use and ward off plant disease.
  • Good for the environment: Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers.
  • Reduces landfill waste: Most landfills in North America are quickly filling up; many have already closed down. One-third of landfill waste is made up of compostable materials.

What to Compost

Material
Carbon/Nitrogen
Info
 Table Scraps
Nitrogen
Add with dry carbon items.
 Fruit & Vegetable Scraps
Nitrogen
Add with dry carbon items.
 Eggshells
Neutral
Best when crushed.
 Leaves
Carbon
Leaves break down faster when shredded.
 Grass Clippings
Nitrogen
Add in thin layers so they don't mat into clumps.
 Garden Plants
--
Use disease-free plants only.
 Lawn & Garden Weeds
Nitrogen
Only use weeds which have not gone to seed.
 Shrub Prunings
Carbon
Woody prunings are slow to break down.
 Straw or Hay
Carbon
Straw is best; hay (with seeds) is less ideal.
Green Comfrey Leaves
Nitrogen
Excellent compost 'activator.'
 Pine Needles
Carbon
Acidic; use in moderate amounts.
 Flowers, Cuttings
Nitrogen
Chop up any long woody stems.
 Seaweed and Kelp
Nitrogen
Apply in thin layers; good source of trace minerals.
 Wood Ash
Carbon
Use ash only from clean materials; sprinkle lightly.
 Chicken Manure
Nitrogen
Excellent Compost 'Activator.'
 Coffee Grounds
Nitrogen
Filters may also be included.
 Tea Leaves
Nitrogen
loose or in bags
 Newspaper
Carbon
avoid using glossy paper and colored inks
 Shredded Paper
Carbon
avoid using glossy paper and colored inks
Ccardboard
Carbon
shred material to avoid matting
 Corn Cobs/Stalks
Carbon
slow to decompose; best if chopped up
 Dryer Lint
Carbon
best if from natural fibers
 Sawdust Pellets
Carbon
high carbon levels; add in layers to avoid clumping
 Wood Chips / Pellets
Carbon
high carbon levels; use sparingly

You can also add garden soil to your compost. A layer of soil will help to mask any odors, and micro-organisms in the soil will accelerate the composting process.

Do not compost meat, bones or fish scraps (they will attract pests), perennial weeds (they can be spread with the compost) or diseased plants.

Do not include pet manures in compost that will be used on food crops. Banana peels, peach peels, and orange rinds may contain pesticide residue, and should be kept out of the compost.

Black walnut leaves should not be composted. Sawdust may be added to the compost, but should be mixed or scattered thinly to avoid clumping.

Be sure sawdust is clean, with no machine oil or chain oil residues from cutting equipment.

Don't Forget the Fertilizer!

Shop our fertilizer collection below to add to your next compost pile and speed up the decomposition process.

 

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