- Composting will reduce yard and garden waste and produce a free organic nutrient rich soil
conditioner. Adding compost to the soil allows it to hold water, nutrients, helps improve
drainage and makes the soil easier to work. Compost feeds the soils beneficial
microorganisms that help plants grow healthy and more disease resistant. Using compost to
improve the soil, reduces the need to use organic fertilizers. Compost and worm castings
(manure), greatly improves any soil.
Making a compost pile directly on the ground will produce an environment perfect for
microorganisms and earthworms. They will soon multiply and populate the pile, making rich
healthy compost and castings.
- Pick a place near your garden and a water supply. Excess water should be able to drain away
from your pile easily. Make your pile about 4ft by 4ft and 3ft high.
- Start with a layer of small sticks or straw laid on the ground for good drainage and air
circulation. Moisten this layer and the soil.
- The next layers should be green and brown materials cut into small pieces so they will
decompose better. Moisten each layer evenly as you build your compost pile.
- The green layer can be green grass, green garden wastes and fruit and vegetable scraps and
should be about three to six inches thick.
- The brown layer can be dry leaves , dry grass, straw and shredded news paper (no colored or
glossy paper) and should be about three to six inches thick.
- It can take your pile up to a week to heat up with microbiological activity (start to decompose).
In about one or two weeks, start turning the pile once a week until it looks brown and crumbly.
Good compost smells earthy and doesn't look anything like what you started with in the
beginning.
- Your finished compost is not a fertilizer, but is a soil amendment full of nutrients and beneficial
microorganisms for a vegetable garden, potted plants, lawn and flower garden.
- Vermicomposting kitchen left overs will reduce waste and produce a rich organic fertilizer.
Fresh worm manure or castings is populated with many microorganisms that benefit the soil
and plants.
- Earthworms are good at loosening the soil, making room for plant roots and producing and
spreading beneficial microorganisms.
- Having a cleaner environment attracts beneficial insects and animals that will help to control
insect pests naturally.
- House plants can be very beneficial to our indoor air. House plants are commonly grown for
decoration and health reasons to clean our indoor air by filtering out toxins, pollutants and the
carbon dioxide we breath out and replace them with healthy purified oxygen. Plants used in
this way are commonly tropical or semi-tropical.
- Mulch controls weed growth, maintains soil moisture, and stabilizes soil temperatures.
Compost doubles as a mulch and organic fertilizer.
Natural and Organic Fertilizer
- Alfalfa meal is an excellent growth stimulator and soil conditioner. It supplies nitrogen for
healthy green growth and feeds beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
- Liquid fish emulsion is a good organic nitrogen rich fertilizer. In addition to nitrogen, it adds
micronutrients to the soil.
- Organic fertilizers can increase garden and potting soils fertility. Adding compost to garden soil
regularly should be enough for healthy plants. Adding fertilizer may be needed for potted
plants during active growing periods.
- Native plants in a garden and landscape will use less water and some even require less
maintenance.
- Loosening the soil will allow water and air to get to the roots of plants and to microorganisms.
Roots need oxygen and microorganisms make the soil healthy.
- Water your lawn and garden in the morning to reduce the chance of mold and plant disease.
Soak the soil slowly and deeply each time. Using drip irrigation or a soaker hose works very
well and saves water.
|
