Compost is one of the foundations to successful natural
gardening. It is a soft, crumbly, brownish or blackish substance
that is the result of the decomposition of organic matter. Composting
takes little effort and little space, but the benefits to the garden
are many. Some of the benefits of are in helping
retain soil moisture, adding nutrients to your soil, and increasing
the plants disease resistance. Compost promotes the growth of
billions of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.
Compost
can be made from various materials, including, but not limited to:
kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaf litter, pruning debris,
trimmings, and newspapers. My favorite compost addition
- the paper from your shredder.
A compost pile should be in an
area where it will receive the heat from the sun. It also should
be aerated from time to time and may need the addition of some water.
