compost is one of those things that everyone call up they should be doing . There are plenteousness of article describing all the rattling things compost does for your garden , and those are true , but how do you actually use it ? Whether you need abeginner ’s pathfinder to compostingor are looking for a fast refresher , here are the most authoritative things you need to have it off when it comes to using your compost .
Can you add compost to your garden after planting?
Yes , you could ! Some gardeners actually add a little when embed and continue bestow it as the plants grow . Compost supply a lot of vital nutrients for seeds and seedlings , but even a fully grown works will enjoy the spare encouragement that come from compost . There really is n’t a bad time to add compost to your garden .
The most popular times are in tardy fall , so the nutrient have time to fully integrate into the soil , and early spring , about two week before you plant , so that the nutrients are invigorated in the stain . There is n’t any meaning difference in how this impacts plant , so whichever time works better for you is fine .
How often you need to add together compost will depend on how rich your grease naturally is . If your grunge is already middling rich , you may only ask to add compost once a class . If you have weaker soil , however , adding a little more halfway through the year may be beneficial .
How do I add compost to my vegetable garden?
you may tot compost now on top of the garden or work it into the soil . If you have n’t planted yet , flux the compost into the top 6 inches of soil is a good option . This help the seeds or seedlings you imbed get to the nutrients quickly and mostly improves your grime quality .
However , if you ’ve already planted your vegetables , and they ’re either seeds or just pullulate , mixing compost into the soil may disturb them if you are n’t heedful . In this case , putting the compost directly on top of the soil is the better option . If you are tot compost around old plant , you could mix it into the soil , just be measured to do it gently and ward off any roots .
How much compost should I add to my vegetable garden?
This depend on which app method you ’re using . If you are spreading it on top of your garden , you only need a 1 - inch layer of compost . Any thicker and you scat the risk of your sprouts not being able to push through the compost .
If you ’re mixing it into the territory before planting , the layer should be 2 to 3 inch before mixing , and you should mix it into the top 6 inches of grime . This ensures that there is mountain of compost in the ground . If you ’re mixing it into the soil around fledged plants , level an in of compost around the plant and merge it lightly . It ca n’t be merge in quite as deeply , due to the roots , so it does n’t need as much . However , other areas of the garden that are not near works can get 2 to 3 in , if you have n’t total any other compost this yr .
Can too much compost hurt plants?
As good as compost is for plants , sometimes it can smart them . If the compost is not right matured , it can do problems for your garden . Most notably , if your compost is n’t completed , then the still - active vector decomposition of the compost can stimulate a N buildup in your garden . Nitrogen is very good for plants , it help them grow , but too much of it can be deadly . This is also why it ’s crucial to space out your composting diligence and reckon the type and quality of your grime before bring compost .
to boot , if you add too much compost over seed or newly sprouted plants , you’re able to suffocate them . If they ca n’t force through the compost to reach the aerofoil , then they will die . Be trusted to only impart a thin layer when dealing with untested plants .
Similarly to development , if your compost is too off - balance it can smart your plants . This is mainly a trouble with nitrogen , but it can theoretically go on with any nutrient . If your compost process include a lot of animal products , such as meator manure , your compost is high in nitrogen . This is with child if your grunge is nitrogen - deficient ! However , if your land already has stack of nitrogen , this can be harmful to your plant life .
There you have it ! Now you live the basics of composting , and you may give your sprouts a little superfluous get-up-and-go to work with . Be careful with the quantity of compost , be aware of your soil character , and you ’ll be well-chosen with the consequence .
