It turns out that adding worms to compost may be beneficial. A compost pile provides the mass to produce good heat to speed up the process along, but composting happens even without a pile. What’s the difference? WHEN TO ADD COMPOST TO A GARDEN. If it’s too dry, add some ‘greens’. During the breakdown period, the nitrogen is incorporated into the bodies of the microbes and is not available for plant use. Maintain pH. Adding scrunched up bits of cardboard is a simple way to create air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy. Contrasting with the brown St. In some cases, a yearly application of compost might eliminate the need for all other forms of amendments. I have to empty it into to my backyard compost bin at least once a week. Be sure to add your ¼” of compost annually too. To keep plants growing as vigorously as possible, many gardeners consider using compost and fertilizer. If your compost is too wet, add more ‘browns’. Adding Nitrogen Fertilizer To Compost i was amazed at the results. Give it a good airing. Adding compost accelerators, compost starters, compost activators, compost boosters etc, is a waste of money and resources. This nitrogen is released when the decomposition is completed and the compost is returned to the garden. Many people choose to place coffee grounds straight onto the soil and use it as a fertilizer. There are ways to add fertilizer directly to your plant, and you need to be familiar with the process if you are going to get the best out of composting. Organic matter is a much used term referring to a wide range of invaluable materials for feeding plants, improving soil and as mulch. References: 1) Photo Source: SKS Bottle & Packaging Inc. The improved soil structure that comes with using compost combined with the additional nutrients from fertilizer make for a convenient loop. You can build your own container to hold the organic matter while it decays, or buy a wooden or plastic bin. Inside the compost, worms and fungi feed on the rotting vegetable matter. Adding compost improves the fluffiness and texture of your earth, which makes your plants more productive and more resistant to disease. Do I need to add anything besides garden soil to my countertop compost pail in order to speed up breakdown process? If your soil test shows less than 5% organic matter, add ½” per year until it reaches 5%. Growing Guide SOWING NOTES Tomatoes require a long growing season and are best started indoors 6 weeks before the anticipated transplanting date (after the final frost of the spring). We add dry fertilizer in early spring, but that's all. Adding finished compost to your garden plant isn’t a difficult task, but you need to do it properly. The only reason to add fertilizer to a compost pile is to help feed the microbes.

Plant-based composts are lower in salts than those containing decomposed animal manure. In a future post I’ll look at ways to speed up the process. Adding compost to the garden improves microbial activity, moisture retention and nutrient levels. Another way to use your soil test results is to read the next section, and tweak the Complete Organic Fertilizer recipe by adding any micronutrients that may be deficient.

With homemade, fully decomposed compost, the nutrients are more readily available to plants and can be added onto just-planted garden beds or soon-to-be-planted garden beds.