More 55% of Canadians over 18, in varying age groups, are home gardeners, growing or cultivating plants at home, according to Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. This is in line with the 55% of American households that engage in gardening activities, per research conducted by Scotts Miracle-Gro and Wakefield Research. North American’s love their green thumbs, and that garden passion continues to grow.
These statistics aren’t surprising when considering the mental, physical, emotional, and social benefits that come along with learning to garden. Ask any seasoned gardener, and many will tell you about the importance of garden compost and how it can positively affect both your lawn and garden.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, around 94% of the food thrown away is combusted or sent to landfills, both of which release methane and harm the environment. Soil can act as a carbon sink, trapping it and keeping it out of the atmosphere, which helps fights climate change by reducing environmental impact.
Incorporating garden compost to your gardening routine improves soil structure, contributes to a balanced source of plant nutrients and is also an investment towards your gardening practice. Here are some great garden compost tips for beginners.
The next thing you need to keep in mind with your garden compost is to ensure that your compost bin or pile is level, well-draining, and accessible for worms; If you don’t have a lot of these, you might have to go out and buy some. Earth worms are your friend.
Veggie peelings, fruit taste, tea bags, plant pruning’s, and grass cutting all make great greens to include in your compost pile. Cardboard egg cartons, scrunched paper, and fallen leaves all contribute fiber and carbon, and make good browns to put in your garden compost.
On the flipside, diseased plants, animal feces, dairy, and diapers don’t break down properly or provide the needed nutrients in garden compost, and can harm your lawn or garden, if the compost doesn’t reach a minimum of 140 degrees F. (60 C.) but not higher than 180 degrees F. (82 C.). Adding fungus or infected matter to your healthy garden can take it from thriving and healthy, to diseased very quickly. Also avoid adding meat scraps, fish, grease, or oil, as these can stink and can attract animals, and they don’t breakdown well during the composting process.
Speaking of what to put into your garden compost, you need to try to balance what you are putting in. Greens are nitrogen rich, and browns are carbon rich, and when they are closely equal, you get a better-quality compost. If your garden compost is too wet, add browns; or too dry, add greens until you hit a good mix of Carbon + Nitrogen + Water + Oxygen. You can still have good compost if you don’t get the math just right, but it can often take longer to achieve.
Once you have dark brown, almost black soil-like texture at the bottom, your garden compost is complete, and this is ready to be spread on your lawn or through your garden.
When you’re beginning your garden compost experience, it’s good to know that it takes between 6-12 months to create finished compost, so don’t get discouraged if things aren’t happening as quickly as you’d like.
If you’re looking to create your dream backyard garden, or even start your own garden compost experience, check out one of our home shows and talk to a garden or outdoor expert in a city near you.