Some people think compost is a just a bunch of manure. Others think it's what happens to your body when you die and get buried, "My uncle Joe died last year and his body has been de-compostin' ever since." Compost is defined in the dictionary as "a mixture of decaying organic matter, as from leaves and manure, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients." That's a great definition but it really doesn't tell the whole story. It should say, "Compost is the greatest thing ever!!!" Well the dictionary probably won't ever say that but I will.
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.
There's a quick way to make compost and a slow way. Nature is already making it the slow way and will continue doing so with or without your help. But mixing your compost pile, watching the moisture levels and using a good mix of both greens and browns will get your pile cooking a lot quicker. Some gardeners use a compost tumbler to make the job of mixing the compost pile a lot easier and they have been know to have rich, crumbly compost in as little as a month.
Are you still asking what's the big deal about compost? Add some of this stuff to your garden bed and you'll know. Your plants will grow bigger and healthier. Sure you could add fertilizers and get the same results, for now. You see synthetic fertilizers eventually break down and after a few years will leave the soil salty. At some point you won't be able to grow anything without lots of that fertilizer (they planned it that way to sell you more). It's like raising a crack baby at that point. Well maybe not that bad but you get the idea.
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.
Plants will thrive is soil that's been amended with compost. They will be less prone to disease, need less water and won't be bothered by as many pests.
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. - 16035
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.
There's a quick way to make compost and a slow way. Nature is already making it the slow way and will continue doing so with or without your help. But mixing your compost pile, watching the moisture levels and using a good mix of both greens and browns will get your pile cooking a lot quicker. Some gardeners use a compost tumbler to make the job of mixing the compost pile a lot easier and they have been know to have rich, crumbly compost in as little as a month.
Are you still asking what's the big deal about compost? Add some of this stuff to your garden bed and you'll know. Your plants will grow bigger and healthier. Sure you could add fertilizers and get the same results, for now. You see synthetic fertilizers eventually break down and after a few years will leave the soil salty. At some point you won't be able to grow anything without lots of that fertilizer (they planned it that way to sell you more). It's like raising a crack baby at that point. Well maybe not that bad but you get the idea.
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.
Plants will thrive is soil that's been amended with compost. They will be less prone to disease, need less water and won't be bothered by as many pests.
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. - 16035
About the Author:
Why use chemical-based fertilizers and plant food in your garden when you can make your own free Compost Be sure to check out TheCompostBin.com to find out how.
