Truth be told, all organic material will eventually break down on its own. Still, when you’re impatient (yes, you know who you are…), the fastest way to give your precious pile a kickstart is to add a compost accelerator. Adding a compost starter gives the good bacteria in the pile a supercharge, so they multiply rapidly….
All gardeners know the benefits of composting. But you’ve probably also heard that compost can burn plants. Confused? Compost is intended to benefit your plants, but sometimes, too much of a good thing can be harmful! So in this article, I’ll explain why compost can burn plants and what you can do to avoid this…
I remember the first time I checked my outdoor compost after a thundershower. I noticed a brown liquid seeping from the bottom of my bin. Aha! That must be the compost tea I keep hearing marvelous things about! I thought excitedly. Now that I’ve been composting for years, I know the liquid wasn’t compost tea. …
Whenever I hear someone say compost and fertilizer are the same things, I’m tempted to blurt out, “Oh no, they’re not!” But I bite my tongue because I don’t want to be a know-it-all 🙂 Although I stop myself from correcting people’s gardening knowledge during casual conversations, I share what I know when asked. So…
If you’re like me, you love mulch 🙂 It’s essential for any gardener… But have you ever wondered whether last season’s mulch might be past its prime and need replenishment? So what are your options with old layers of mulch in your garden? Can you compost it, or should you dispose of it another way?…
Most keen gardeners are interested in anything that enhances their gardening. Compost and manure are two of the most popular natural ways to nourish your plants. Both improve soil structure and add beneficial nutrients and microorganisms. Your garden deserves only the best. So, which is it – compost or manure? In this article I’ll unpack…
Most gardeners understand the value of compost as a soil amendment. It’s an excellent source of plant nutrients and can even be used as mulch. So given the benefits of compost, can you use it as a replacement for potting soil and plant directly into compost? It sounds like a perfectly reasonable thing to do……
Wood chips are an organic material, and all organic matter rots! But many gardeners are reluctant to use this fantastic source in their composting. So why do some people not use wood chips in compost, and how can these difficulties be overcome? Let’s find out… Composting Wood Chips Making wood chips at home is effortless…
I’ve seen people collecting horse manure in parks and local stables with the intention of using it in their gardens. But it makes me wonder whether all gardeners understand how to use substances like manure. Manures of all kinds are considered beneficial fertilizers. However, throwing it directly on your plants and shrubs is not always…
If you’re a regular here at Help Me Compost (thank you!), you know I talk a lot about balancing greens and browns. Greens (organic wastes high in nitrogen) and browns (carbon-rich wastes) are 2 essential ingredients your compost needs in a specific ratio. I like to keep composting stress-free, so I usually give loose guidelines…