COMPOST HAPPENS: MAKE THE MOST OF IT!

Composting is recycling at its finest.  Compost, otherwise known as black gold, can be defined as the end product of a managed process through which soil organisms break down plant and animal remains into nutrient rich, crumbly soil suitable for plant growth. The act of composting replicates what takes place in nature to all life forms once they perish.  Farmers have benefited from the observations of natural decomposition for thousands of years by collecting, piling and aging manure, plant and animal debris and then using the broken down remains to enrich and sustain healthy crops.  Compost imparts many benefits to home gardeners, and can be used on all lawn and garden areas to create healthier, more vibrant plant growth.  Compost helps to loosen our clay soils, creating better drainage and air space, ultimately allowing plant roots to penetrate deeper into the soil for access to nutrients and water.  Compost can save homeowners time and money because soils enriched with compost require less irrigation, eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides and reduce soil erosion and compaction.  The natural pH buffering affect of compost helps to neutralize both acid and alkaline soils, allowing for a wider range of plants to be grown on composted soils.  Compost is oil for the soil, and anyone with a small backyard can easily make the most of it with a few basic tips. 

Not all composts are created equal.  The greater the diversity of ingoing ingredients directly affects the final quality and nutrient value of finished compost.   A mix of leaves, grass clippings, woody debris, straw, weedy debris and vegetable waste will work well together in a compost pile.   Animal manure and meat can be used in compost piles, but may be wrought with potentially harmful bacteria, and best to avoid in a neighborhood setting.  Marvin’s Organic Gardens has three varieties of compost bins in stock that are suitable for a wide range of compost materials, and can be used for smaller yards, or those with home owners associations (HOA’s) that may otherwise prohibit composting.  Compost piles are best positioned on bare soil, out of direct sunlight and wind, and should be sited where there is access to water, because moisture helps sustain the organisms that are breaking down the compost ingredients.  When creating your compost pile, it is always best to add some finished compost or high quality topsoil, because this microorganism rich mix is the catalyst for quick decomposition of new compost ingredients.  An old trick for easy composting is to layer compost ingredients. For example, add a 12” layer of leaf debris mixed with topsoil or compost followed by a 12” layer of grass clipping or green weed debris mixed with topsoil or compost, followed by a layer of woody materials mixed with topsoil or compost.  It is best to follow a layer of green matter like grass clippings with a layer of brown matter such as dried leaves or woody brush.  To further expedite the composting process, one can use an organic fertilizer like Marvin’s Organic Gardens 8-3-3 fertilizer mixed directly into the compost pile to stimulate decomposer organisms.  The more often that compost materials are turned with a pitch fork or shovel, the faster they will break down into finished compost.  Compost tumblers take the arduous work out of this process by allowing homeowner to easily churn and mix their compost ingredients by simply spinning the compost tumbler a few times weekly.  Usable compost will be ready in 4 weeks to 1 year depending on the method and ingredients used in the compost pile. 

If compost piles are not managed properly, the quality of the end product may be reduced.  An example of this is the necessity for weed control.  Because compost is exceptional for plant growth, weed seed can blow in atmospherically, and quickly overtake a pile.  Once a pile becomes inundated with invasive weeds, these weeds can be transferred to other gardens as the compost is spread.  One way to avoid weeds is to turn compost piles at least once per month during active weed growth.  Another weed control method is to cover the top of a compost pile with 10 sheets of newspaper followed by a thin layer a mulch to hold the newspaper in position.  The newspaper will not only eliminate weeds, but also help to hold moisture in the pile more affectively.  Newspaper can be mixed into the compost pile after its usefulness has ended.  Sour compost is another potential concern, such as seen (and smelled) when piled grass clippings turn anaerobic (oxygen deprived), and begin to emit an unpleasant smell, while also becoming very slow to decompose.  The best way to correct this imbalance is to mix dried leaf, woody debris and finished compost into the dominantly green compost, and balance will be restored within a few weeks.  Lastly, slow decomposition can be witnessed when a pile consists of mainly brown matter such as woody debris.  Even a small amount of vegetable waste, weedy debris or grass clippings incorporated into the dominantly woody pile will help to speed decomposition. As mentioned, organic fertilizers mixed into piles will also speed up the composting process. Another high quality product that Marvin’s Organic Gardens carry is known as, compost accelerators, which advance decomposition with a mix of naturally-occurring soil organisms, enzymes and natural growth stimulants.  Compost accelerators help to biodegrade your compost pile when evenly distributed at a rate of ½ pound of product per cubic yard of compost materials followed by a thorough watering. 

Compost is the secret to success for anyone who has a desire for healthier plants with less dependence on human interaction.  Apply 2”-3” of finished compost to existing landscape beds as both mulch and superior soil amendment for more resilient plants.  To revive an existing lawn, or start a new lawn off vibrant and healthy, simply rake in 1”-2” of compost across the entire lawn surface area.  To build a new landscape bed, build the new planting area with 12”-18” of compost right atop an existing lawn area and plant directly in the compost.  Following planting, cover the entire bed surface with 10 sheets of newspaper to smother potential weeds and grass, and then cover bed with mulch of choice.  Marvin’s Organic Gardens have in stock both bulk and bagged compost, and would be more than glad to deliver right to your home.  Our compost is EPA certified, so that you can be assured of the highest quality product.  Please contact Shayla at 513-932-3319 or email Wes at wes@marvinsorganicgardens.com for more information, or to order your premium compost.  Compost can be applied year-round, so what are you waiting for... your plants will thank you!  Go Organic.  It’s Only Natural!