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Benefits of using compost in your garden: Soil enrichment and plant growth
There are many benefits of adding compost to garden. However, its most significant value is improving soil quality
There are many benefits of adding compost to garden. However, its most significant value is improving soil quality.
It does this by:
- Enabling nutrients to stay put
- Helping moisture retention
- Aiding air circulation
As a result, plants can thrive and remain healthy.
Explore the composts available from Forward Builders’ Supplies’ range here.
What are the advantages of using compost?
The truth is that most people find the soil that they have in their garden isn’t ideal – and that’s where compost comes into its own.
Among the benefits of compost in garden are:
It improves structure
Compost is an ideal way to transform soil’s texture so that it becomes easier to work with and cultivate.
Some soil types, like clay, are denser while others such as sandy or chalky soil have a loose structure which needs amending. That’s the function of compost, and the result is a more crumbly and workable texture.
The soil will also have better drainage and water retention, and air can circulate more easily – promoting healthier growth.
It adds nutrients
There are several nutrients that can help plant life flourish, and these can be found in compost.
The more ingredients your compost contains, the greater its efficacy; most compost will enhance your soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – all of them key to healthy growth.
Compost might also contain micro-nutrients like manganese, copper, iron, and zinc which makes your plants more resistant to harmful disease.
It balances pH levels
If your soil is too acid, or too alkaline, then it can be amended with the application of compost – further boosting nutrient absorption.
Balanced soil is also more likely to attract earthworms and other bugs, which are beneficial in many ways. For example, they break down organic material through their digestive systems, and their presence can also aerate the soil which helps with root growth.
How to use compost in your garden
You could follow the lead from expert gardeners, who will add a handful of compost every time they sow a plant; those much-needed microorganisms will then help new seedlings to flourish.
Compost can be used to condition the soil, ensuring it retains moisture and stays aerated, or to reduce weed growth.
It’s also one of the best things you can do if you’re growing vegetables, or a fruit like tomatoes, which need plenty of nutrients.
Use it by spreading it around the base of your plants, and then follow up with a good watering. Depending on which type of compost you use, you should try to replenish it once or twice a year.
Soil-free compost may dry out, so ensure it’s well watered.
Where to use compost
On the vegetable patch
Just spread the compost around the plant’s base, then give it a good watering. The reason why compost is great for vegetables is that it gradually releases nutrients into the soil, making it pretty unlikely to damage or burn your plants (which can happen with fertiliser).
As a soil substitute
Thinking about replacing the soil in your planters or preparing a new bed? Compost is a great – and more affordable – substitute for soil mixes, plus it’s packed with the necessary nutrients required for healthy growth.
Instead of mulch
Use compost instead of mulch because it can help to protect roots, moderate temperatures, and help to retain necessary moisture.
Have we convinced you that you need compost for your garden? We certainly hope so!
Explore the composts available from Forward Builders’ Supplies’ range here.
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