Compost is an organic fertilizer and mulch. Learn how to make organic fertilizer in a compost pile and benefits of compost as organic fertilizer and mulch.
Benefits of using compost as an organic fertilizer and mulch:
- Making compost is cheap or free.
- Compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration.
- As a mulch, compost helps the soil retain water.
- Compost is an organic fertilizer that improves soil and plants.
- Compost stimulates healthy root development.
- A compost pile is an excellent means of disposing of organic debris, leaves, food wastes, grass clippings, etc.
- Organic compost improves the environment.
- Organic fertilizer increases vegetable garden yield.
Make Compost in a Compost Pile Using Two Methods: Cold or Hot
Cold Organic Fertilizer Method or Cold Compost Method Using a Compost Pile
- The easiest way to make compost to use as organic fertilizer and a type of mulch is to start a compost pile in your yard (or in a compost bin). Into your compost pile, throw grass clippings, leaves, and weeds. Wait 6-24 months for it to break down on its own. The compost on the bottom of the pile will break down first. If you turn the compost pile occasionally, it will speed up the process of earthworms, insects and microorganisms breaking down the organic materials. Wood decomposes slower, so leave it out if you want to speed things up.
Hot Organic Fertilizer/Compost Method Using a Compost Pile
- Without Manure To hold heat, the compost pile must have "compost critical mass" (27 cubic feet). Begin by mixing in one part green organic matter with two parts brown organic matter. Bury vegetable, fruit and food scraps in the center. Keep adding your mixture of organic matter as the weeks go by, continuously building your compost pile until it is five feet wide at the bottom and three feet wide at the top. The center internal temperature should reach 120 to 150 degrees F. Turn the compost pile weekly. It should be ready to use in six weeks to two months.
- With Manure In a four by four square, place straw on the ground. For your second layer, add kitchen scraps, manure, or plants. For your third layer, add leaves (if you shred them, they'll break down faster). Next, layer straw. Then repeat your layers. Put manure and other compost at the top. Finish with a layer of straw. In summer, you may need to water the pile to keep it moist.
Compost and Vegetable Garden Tips
• The more you "turn" the compost pile, the faster it will decompose.
• Use layers of cornstalks and straw for better aeration.
• The more manure, grass, and leaves you layer on the compost pile, the faster it will decompose.
• For a fast organic compost pile, mix 1/3 horse manure and 2/3 leaves or grass.
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Copyright May 2006 by Sally Morton.
The copyright of the article Compost: Organic Fertilizer in Vegetable Gardens is owned by Sally Morton. Permission to republish Compost: Organic Fertilizer must be granted by the author in writing.
