Organic soil compost is a fertile substance made up of organic material. It is created through a process called composting, which combines organic elements like leaves and grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, manure, and kitchen waste in order to create soil-enhancing nutrients.
Composting allows for two important process: microbial breakdown of organic matter and humification. Through the microbial breakdown organic matter is broken down into smaller particles, creating incredibly nutrient dense organic material that plants can benefit from.
Humification makes organic contents more stable over time as it binds particulates together resulting in good soil structure with aeration proper drainage and water retention.
As organic compost contains high levels of micronutrients such as potassium, copper and nitrogen it enables plants to grow healthier, faster and stronger than those fed synthetic fertilisers.
How can you make the most out of organic compost?
6 Tips on the Best Organic Compost
1. Choose the Right Kind of Compost
The type of plants you’re growing, as well as your soil conditions and drainage requirements, will all influence which organic compost will work best for you. For instance, if you have acidic soil and are planting vegetables that prefer neutral soil pH levels, then you’ll want a more neutral organic compost to help counteract the acidity.
Similarly, if you’re planting flowers or shrubs known to thrive in wetter soils, then organic compost with better moisture-retention capabilities would be a better choice. By taking these key considerations into account when selecting organic compost for your garden, you can ensure that your plants get the right nourishment they need to become healthy and resilient.
Additionally, choosing the right type of organic compost can even promote better drainage or moisture retention depending on what’s needed for each plant’s growth requirement.
2. Aerate Your Compost
Adding oxygen-rich material like straw, sawdust or shredded leaves helps keep temperatures at an ideal level and prevents organic matter from breaking down too fast.
Not only will this help ensure that rich organic compost is created, but it also ensures that moisture levels are balanced in the mixture so that neither aerobic nor anaerobic processes take place.
Furthermore, using organic material helps to aerate the compost pile and stimulate the activity of microbes necessary for successful decomposition.
3. Mix in Brown and Green Materials
When organic materials decompose, they provide a nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens and on lawns. In order to create an organic compost for your soil, it’s important to mix an equal ratio of green materials like food scraps and grass clippings with brown materials such as dried leaves and newspaper.
The green materials offer nitrogen-rich organic matter while the brown materials provide carbon-based organic matter. Together, they create a balanced environment that increases nutrient availability, as well as improves soil texture and structure.
The key is to introduce each type of material into your compost in equal measure and give them time to fully decompose. If you have too much green material, the outcome may be a smelly mess; if you have too much brown material, the compost may take longer to break down.
Depending on the season and what organic items are available to use, you may need need to adjust the ratio accordingly for best results when creating your own nutrient-rich compost. Whenever possible, seek out organic sources such as food scraps from your kitchen or leaves from nearby parks or trees.
4. Moisten Your Compost
Moisture is essential for the decomposition process in compost piles because it helps microbes break down organic material more quickly than they would if the pile was dry. You should make sure to check your pile every few days or so and add water until it’s damp all the way through, not just at the surface.
5. Monitor Your Compost Temperature
While the composting process can take some time, it’s important to monitor the temperature of your compost pile. The pile needs to remain between 43 and 65 degrees Celcius in order to effectively decompose organic material.
If it gets too hot or too cold, microbes won’t be able to function properly and organic matter will not break down as easily. Most compost piles will reach temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Celcius naturally on their own.
You should always monitor your compost pile regularly using a thermometer and make sure the temperature remains within a safe range for successful organic decomposition.
6. Add Microorganisms
Beneficial microorganisms work together to speed up the decomposition process of organic compost, breaking down organic material quickly and efficiently. The process begins with bacteria, which helps transform raw organic material into more simplified forms that the fungi can begin to break down further.
This entire cycle helps reduce the time needed for organic material to become usable fertiliser for your garden and replenish worn out soils with essential nutrients. By adding beneficial microorganisms to your compost piles, you not only help speed up the decompostion process but also make sure you’re getting the most out of organic matter in your garden beds.
Ultimately organic compost is an excellent way to introduce organic elements into your yard in order to create nutrient dense soil that helps promote healthier plants while protecting the environment at the same time.
