Posted on February 11th, 2022
Organic Compost – Composting is one of the best ways to introduce nutrient-rich organic matter into your garden to feed your plants organically. It fuels plant growth and restores essential nutrients to depleted soil, creating a lush, beautiful garden. Learn more about making high-quality organic compost and compost lawn care below.
You probably already have a good idea of what compost is. Essentially, it is a mixture of decomposed materials used to fertilize and improve the quality of your soil. But defining what it means to be organic can get complicated because three definitions exist: chemical, agricultural, and certified.
In this article, the term ‘organic’ will encompass the agricultural definition.
The use of organic compost in your garden offers plenty of benefits, including:
There are three techniques used to produce compost, each taking advantage of different natural processes to decompose organic matter and produce fertilize to nourish your garden. Read more about them below.
Aerobic composting produces compost in the presence of oxygen through the action of microorganisms in the soil. This is the most common method used by gardeners and farmers in making compost but requires considerable effort and commitment. Piles of organic material are used and are regularly mixed up using garden tools to introduce oxygen into the system. When done right, it can produce high-quality organic compost in a short amount of time. It is also known as hot composting because the decomposition process produces heat.
Anaerobic composting is compost production through decomposition in the absence of oxygen. This occurs when organic materials are piled onto each other but are left alone during decomposition, resulting in fermentation. This process is much slower and produces unpleasant odors due to the production of methane gas, a byproduct of the fermentation process. It is also referred to as cold composting because no heat is produced.
Vermicomposting produces nutrient-rich organic compost through a combination of worms, microorganisms, moisture, and oxygen. First, special worms are introduced into a system that contains soil, food scraps, and yard waste, which they consume and digest. The worms then produce castings called vermicompost, which are rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.
In this blog, we will focus on the aerobic production of organic compost.
Ideally, good organic compost should contain essential nutrients that plants love, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These will depend on the organic materials you use to create your compost. Here are some examples of composting materials you can use:
To know whether the compost you produce is high-quality, it should have the following qualities:
To build a compost pile, you will need either composting bins or ample space to create one on the ground in a fenced area. You can use wire fencing, cement blocks, wooden palettes, or scrap lumber as a fencing material for your pile. Just make sure to leave an opening on one side for turning over the pile for aeration.
To start building your pile, you will need to look for an ideal location. It must be in a secluded area near the garden with partial shade. A little bit of sun is essential to facilitate decomposition but should not be too much to prevent drying out too fast. It should also be in an area with good drainage, so it doesn’t become waterlogged.
Once you’ve found your ideal location, it’s time to start building your pile. An excellent way to build your pile is to do it in layers. Layering can be advantageous because it hastens decomposition and improves compost quality.
Ensure that your pile is large enough, about 4 square feet or so, to provide a stable environment for microorganisms. Smaller compost piles may decompose more slowly.
Finally, make sure to turn the pile weekly using a garden fork during the summer and monthly during the winter to maintain a steady temperature and increase the decomposition rate. Within 90 to 120 days, you will be able to produce high-quality, nutrient-rich compost, perfect for compost lawn care.
Organic composting is an excellent way to introduce essential nutrients to your garden. Through compost lawn care, you can enrich your soil and grow healthier plants that are free from disease – the natural way!
However, we understand that the entire process may require a lot of effort and time to achieve, which many are too busy to oversee. Turf Unlimited is here to help. We offer Organic Lawn Care Services to help you grow a lush garden the natural way without back-breaking effort because we’ll take care of it for you. Get in touch with our lawn and garden experts to learn more about our services.
