Benefits of Compost

Compost benefits the garden as well as the environment. Photo: Pixabay.com

The process of composting is good for your garden and for the environment. Home composting allows gardeners to recycle organic material while conserving landfill space and reducing reliance on fossil fuel. The end product – rich, healthy compost – is a powerful addition to garden soil.

• One of the best ways to improve soil and support plant health

• Allows bacteria, fungi, and other micro-organisms to thrive and enrich soil to better feed plants

• Saves water by helping the soil hold moisture and reduce water runoff

• Lightens clay soils and helps sandy soils hold water

• Reduces the need for commercial soil conditioners and fertilizers

• Adds nutrients and beneficial microbes

• Encourages healthy root structure

• Helps control soil erosion

• Helps balance pH (acidity/alkalinity)

• Moderates soil temperature and reduces weeds when used as a mulch

• Attracts and feeds earthworms and other beneficial soil micro-organisms

• In addition to the “big three” nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), homemade compost typically contains small quantities of micro-nutrients, which are released into the surrounding soil over time

• May help control parasitic nematodes by increasing the nutrient composition of the soil and providing an ideal breeding ground for beneficial, nematode-destroying fungi.