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Every wonder why some of the world’s most beautiful natural gardens are found in the most remote places? It’s because Mother Nature has done all the work! When you want to create a garden that’s naturally lush and vibrant — without resorting to harsh chemicals — use nature’s perfect fertilizer: garden composting.

Compost provides natural fertilization for all types of plants, from leafy shrubs and trees to exotic flowers. Consider the rainforest, with a thick carpet of naturally-occurring compost. This rich rainforest floor gives continues food, support and shelter for all types of plant life.

You can easily create your own perfect fertilizer, simply by saving food scraps and yard waste. You’ll save a load of money on garden center supplies and you’ll reduce waste. When you create your own garden compost, it’s a win-win-win situation! The finished product is a dark, crumbly mixture of decomposed organic matter.

It’s easy to create garden compost, and you’ll be happy to see how many ways it can benefit your blooms:

* Feeds plants with essential nutrients

* Reduces the need for harmful fertilizers

* Improves the quality of sandy soil or heavy clay

* Reduces the amount of water required

* Helps to control pesky weeds

Creating Garden Compost

The recipe for garden compost is very basic. Always remember the gardener’s rule of thumb: two parts brown, to one part green.

A compost pile is a bustling community of microorganisms. These tiny creatures exist by breaking down organic matter, like yard debris and organic scraps, and turning them into compost. You’ll need to take an active role in encouraging the growth of these microorganisms.

Use natural flower fertilizers that are two parts carbon-rich “brown” materials, such as dried leaves. Mix this with one-part nitrogen-rich “green” materials, such as grass clippings. The end result will be an all-natural fertilizer that’s the perfect fuel for those hungry populations of microorganisms. Before long, they’ll be heating up your yard debris and producing valuable garden compost.

Ingredients for Your Garden Compost

Your “two parts brown” may contain any combination of the following materials:

* Dried leaves and grass clippings

* Small twigs

* Shredded newsprint

* Hay or straw

* Wood chips, wood shavings or sawdust

* Used potting soil

The “one part green” may include any of the following:

* Fresh, green grass clippings

* Fresh, green leaves

* Plant stalks and stems

* Hedge and tree clippings

* Annual weeds (no seed heads)

* Fruit and vegetable scraps

* Tea bags, coffee grounds and filters

* Eggshells

These materials should NEVER be used in your compost:

* Diseased plant life

* Seed heads from weeds

* Invasive weeds like quack grass and morning glory

* Bread and cereal grains

* Meat or fish parts or bones

* All dairy products

* Grease, cooking oil, oily foods

* Feces from pets

* Deceased animals

Size Really Matters

Smaller composting components bring about rich, usable compost more quickly. Large pieces of vegetables obviously take longer to break down than smaller pieces. Leftover fruits and vegetables should be chopped into small pieces. Garden debris can be cut up with shears or a machete. A garden chipper, shredder or lawnmower mulching attachment is a handy tool for breaking up sticks and twigs.

Even faster garden compost action can be realized when your compost pile is no less than three feet in diameter. Size is important, because the actual composting occurs when heat is generated by those millions of microorganisms living in your soil. As they process the raw materials, the microorganisms release energy that helps activate the decomposition. A compost pile at least three square feet in diameter is the best size for hotter, faster composting.

Fresh Air and Water

Like all living things, compost needs water and air to survive. The microorganisms in your garden compost can’t do their jobs without ample supplies of water and air. Sprinkle water over your compost on a regular basis, but don’t drown it. The compost should be about as wet as a damp sponge.

To incorporate air into the garden compost, use a pitchfork to turn the compost materials one every week. This will also help to distribute the efforts of the microorganisms. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a nice layer of compost at the bottom of the pile, and a heap of garden waste on top.

You can’t get a better source of gardening advice comes than Mother Nature. Use nature’s perfect compost. It’s easy to make, and your bright, beautiful plants will be more than ample reward for your efforts.

Tags: garden, gardening