Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles | Tags: Compost, Composting, Fall Cleanup, Free Compost, Garden Maintenance, Gardening, Leaf cleanup, Leaf Control, Leaf Stripper, Leaves, Mulch, Starting a compost pile
I have been asked a few times on the radio lately about composting, so I went back in the archives and pulled this up. This was 1st published 10 years ago â To the day!
A big blowing storm is coming thru tonight, ie; A leaf stripper! Plenty to get yaâ started
âFall is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!â
Mark Carter
Carterâs Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. â
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. â https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. â https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles | Tags: Amended Topsoil, Compost, Compost Tea, Composted Manure, Composting, Food, Free Compost, Gardening Ideas, Grass Clippings, Leaves, Natural Resources, Organic, Organic Gardening, Permaculture, Soil Amendments, Starting a compost pile, Vegetable Scraps, Vernicompost
I have been asked a few times on the radio lately about composting, so I went back in the archives and pulled this up. This was 1st published 10 years ago – To the day! đ„
A big blowing storm is coming thru tonight, ie; A leaf stripper! đ Plenty to get yaâ startedđ
âFall is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Once the process is complete you can use this free resource as mulch, soil amendments, top dressing for your lawn, to make compost tea for veggies & more. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!â
Mark Carter
Carterâs Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Â 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. â
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. â https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. â https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles | Tags: Compost, Compost Tea, Composted Manure, Composting, Fall Cleanup, Fall Gardening, Free Compost, Gardening, gardening 101, Gardening Ideas, Grass Clippings, Kitchen Scraps, Leaves, Organic Gardening, Permaculture, Vernicompost
We had a few calls on the radio show (The 180) Yesterday about HOW- TO start a compost pile. Here is a little info to help get you started â
This is the perfect time to start composting! You can make your own compost from the leaves, grass clippings and organic waste you already have to dispose of!
Fall is A great time to start composting. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and its natural! Plus you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save your kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
Once the process is complete you can use this free resource as mulch, soil amendments, top dressing for your lawn, to make compost tea for veggies & more. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
â Mark Carter
Mark Carter
Carterâs Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph# 731-424-2206
www.cartercountry.com
Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 101.5 FM, 731-423-8101, Composting, Friday blog, Friday Radio Report, Fridayâs, Garden Planning, gardening 101, Gardening answers, gardening questions, Happy New Year!, Heirloom Seeds, Leaves, New Years is Coming!, New Years Resolutions, The 180, The 180 Crew, Trimming Crepe Myrtles, Winter Gardening
Great show today! Also the last show for me for 2018! WOW! Another year in the history books đ±
2019 is coming fast! Will YOU be making âNew Years Resolutionsâ?
LOTS of FUN in the studio today! Sea Bass is on vacation, but Lori Nunnery was in the house & filled everyone in on things to do in and around Jackson, TN! Check it out –
https://jacksontn.com/tourism/#home
Michael King was in tha house! Holding down Sea Basses seat đ and talking about music đŒÂ đ¶đ”
– LOTS of calls!
- Â What do I need to do in the garden now? LOTS of things! Trimming, clean up, mulching leaves, composting, and planning are all top of the list! Remember, Spring is Coming!
- Sonic trivia question âSonic Blast of the Pastâ – What is the most popular Sonic Drink??? Jeopardy music…. Answer- Cherry đ Lime-Aid! Boom!!!
- LOTS of talk about CWD – Cronic Wasting Disease in deer. For more info check the website at http://www.cwdintennessee.com
- What are YOU having for New Years Dinner? For me this is a HUGE deal! Hog Jowl, Black Eyed Peas, Turnip Greens, Corn Bread & more! This has been our New Years meal my entire life and way before!
I canât wait till Tuesday! We eat our traditional New Years meal of hog jowl. Greens & Black eyed peas.
The Lawyer for the McGee family called in to discuss the settlement of the 2014 shooting case of their 18 year old son, Dillon McGee. For more info follow this link to the story –Â https://www.wbbjtv.com/2018/12/27/civil-suit-settled-in-local-officer-involved-shooting/
Happy New Year!
I’m on with the 180 Crew – Dan Reaves & Sea Bass- every Friday from 9-11am Call in with ALL your gardening and Outdoor Lifestyle questions at 731-423-8101.
OR you can TEXT us at 731-277-5155. Listen LIVE at 101.5 WNWS – FM Talk Radio – on your smart phone using your TuneIn app.!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. â https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. â https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 731-423-8101, Carters Nursery, Compost, Composting, Fall Gardening, Friday blog, Friday Radio Report, Fridayâs, Garden Show, gardening 101, gardening questions, Gardening Show, Happy Thanksgiving, Nurseryfix, Pond Maintenance, The 180, The 180 Crew, Water Features, WNWS FM
Great show with the 180â Crew on this Thanksgiving holiday! The studio was full! – Lori Nunnery, LoLo, Downtown Ricky Brown, Dan, Sea Bass & myself!! Full House!
The talk was all over the place and Fun! I canât even list all the categories…
- Â Food! Of course đ
- Being Thankful!
- Pets
- Weather
- Family
- Christmas
- Gardening
- Seasonal Koi Pondâs
- When to stop feeding your Koi
- Composting all these leaves
- Traffic!
- Shopping on Holidays
- The worst whipping you ever got as a kid đ©
A great music event fundraiser coming up on Dec  14th. That benefits RIFA – Come down and help LoLo and friends raise some $$- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-our-jackson-home-holiday-show-hosted-by-lolo-tickets-52037222734
We are still building waterfalls as long as the weather holds. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Fun show! Enjoy this long holiday weekend with family and friends !
I’m on with the 180 Crew – Dan Reaves & Sea Bass- every Friday from 9-11am Call in with ALL your gardening and Outdoor Lifestyle questions at 731-423-8101.
OR you can TEXT us at 731-277-5155. Listen LIVE at 101.5 WNWS – FM Talk Radio – on your smart phone using your TuneIn app.!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. â https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. â https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles | Tags: Compost, Compost Tea, Composted Manure, Composting, Earthworms, Fall Cleanup, Free Compost, Grass Clippings, Leaves, Mulch, Mulching, Organic, Organic Gardening, Organic Pest Control, Vegetable Scraps, Vernicompost
FALL is one of my Favorite times of the yearly ! Cooler weather, planting, gardening, fire pits, football đ and all the family gatherings – Wonderful!
We are finishing up a beautiful Fall Color Show! But, like they always say – Fall color is here today & gone tomorrow…
All this beautiful color has gave way to the incredible yearly leaf đ fall… Thatâs why Fall is a GREAT time to start a compost pile!  All those leaves + all the plants and grasses that we have to cut back + all of the upcoming holiday food scraps = a great supply of FREE usable components in an âall natural compost pile!
We have organic vermicompost and supplies at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and its natural! Plus you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers to feed your veggies & other plants.
Make your leaf cleanup meaningful & productive by starting a compost pile or two.
PLUS –
- Â Compost improves soil structure & texture, plus it increases the soilâs water-holding capacity.
- Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water.
- The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition.
- Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Keep it simple. Layer your lawn clipping, leaves & kitchen scraps to make great FREE compost!
Itâs easy to get started
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save your kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile! Kitchen scraps are high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process.
– Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a non-tumbling compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down well. It helps to turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. â https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. â https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Landscaping & Gardening | Tags: Compost Tea, Composted Manure, Composting
We had a few calls on the show Friday about HOW- TO start a compost pile. Here is a little info to help get you started â
FALL is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, Fall planting, gardening and all the family gatherings and food – Wonderful!
You can purchase compost at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio in Jackson, Tn. 38305. We carry a full line of soil amendment’s & mulch.
Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and its natural! Plus you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
You can make your own compost from the leaves, grass clippings and organic waste you already have to dispose of!
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save your kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
Using organic products and natural compost will change the way you garden.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
â Mark Carter
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph# 731-424-2206
www.cartercountry.com
We had a few calls on the show Friday about HOW- TO start a compost pile. Here is a little info to help get you started –
FALL is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, Fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Use your leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps to make compost that can be used as soil amendment and mulch!
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
â With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
â Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
â Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
â Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
â Mark Carter
Filed under: General Blog Entry's | Tags: Compost Tea, Composted Manure, Composting
I am re-posting this. Hope it helps!
FALL is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, Fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONâT add meat, grease or other animal products!
– With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donât want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
– Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
– Donât let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donât keep it too wet.
– Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
– Mark Carter
Filed under: General Blog Entry's | Tags: Composting, Fall Gardening, Organic Gardening, Permaculture
 Fall is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonât cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureâs best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilâs water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Itâs easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compost pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DON’T add meat, grease or other animal products!
– With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you don’t want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itâs too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
– Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
– Don’t let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , don’t keep it too wet.
– Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. Itâs best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
 When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
– Mark Carter
