Spring means gardening time for many. It is that time of the year when the sun starts to shine brighter (when it’s not raining!) and the freshness of blooming flowers inspires many to get their gardening tools out and get on with getting out in the yard.
In today’s post we are going to talk about one of the most important aspects of gardening – spring composting! So without wasting any time, let us get on with the topic –
What is compost?
In the simplest of words, compost is nothing else but the decayed organic material that is used as a fertilizer for gardening and growing plants.
It is a combination of the substance and the process that every plant goes through during decomposition process at the end of its life. The decayed plant, along with the contribution of numerous natural factors and microorganisms yields nutrient rich humus as the end product which we can use in the garden to nourish our crops or gardens.
Why composting?
Now, the instant question that might pop in anyone’s mind when some says the word compost would be – what makes this stuff so good for plants? Well, here’s an answer to that –
1. It improves the soil structure
One of the first great things about natural compost is that it binds the structure of soil together. The fact that compost is nothing but organic matter makes it a great choice to retain the soil structure as it plays a role in erosion control, water and root penetration, respiration of the plants and more.
2. Increases microbe diversity of the soil
Microbes are an inseparable ingredient of an ecosystem. Thanks to the addition of compost in the soil, you can expect to get a wide diversity of microbes in the soil which can play a major role in maintaining healthy crops in your yard. Remember, by adding compost to the garden you are supplementing it with nutrient rich bacteria and fungi that are going to help you cultivate a good harvest at the end of it all.
3. Maintains pH and nutrient retention ability of the soil
Most important of all, compost helps the soil to retain its nutrient richness. When you use the same soil for planting year after year, the nutrients from the soil are absorbed. To make sure that it is supplemented with the lost nutrition, you need to either use chemicals or go for the all-natural option – compost! Chemicals can enter the food chain and is widely suspected of causing a host of maladies, including cancer. For this reason alone, composting is the smarter choice for your garden, and your health. At the same time, it helps in maintaining the right pH for the soil as well, which is imperative if you want to have a great result.
The best thing about composting is that you can create a compost pit in the backyard quite easily and get access to fresh compost without having to face the struggle of running everywhere. How to make that compost pit we are going to take that topic in our next post. As of now, just relish the benefits of composting and prepare yourself for a spring season full of gardening in Oregon! And if you’re in the Portland or Eugene areas and want to know where to go for composting supplies, you can check out Down To Earth in Eugene or Rexius in Portland and Eugene. Happy composting!
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