Compost is, after all, what’s left after bacteria, fungi, and other creatures get done breaking down dead tissues, and so contains the basic components used by plants to produce new tissues. When compost is added to a soil, it brings nutrients with it. Compost helps create and maintain a nutritious soil solution for plants to use. Most garden plants prefer a balanced, nutritious soil (though there are a few that don’t like a lot of nutrients, so be careful). It might seem a bit strange that it allows more air in at the same time as holding more water, but the water is held inside the crumbs, while the air moves between them.įertilization and Nutrient Retention This improved drainage happens because compost binds up the soil into little crumbly bits, leaving good-sized air spaces in between. Soils rich in humus therefore need less frequent irrigation, saving time, worry and money for the garden-owner.Ĭompost also improves drainage, which is important because roots need oxygen to survive. Mature compost (also called humus) can hold up to 200 times its weight in water! This means that rainwater or irrigation water stays in the soil, rather than leaching out or running off. This seems like a tall order for a soil, but is easily achieved by adding compost.Ĭompost improves water retention because of its sponge-like nature. This means that the soil should hold plenty of water for plants to use as they need it, while at the same time draining quickly after heavy rainfalls or overly enthusiastic irrigation. Pick up any good garden book, and you’ll notice that most garden plants like a “moist, well-drained soil”. The start of any good garden is good soil, and adding compost is the easiest and most long-lasting way to improve soil conditions.ĭrainage and Water Retention The benefits of compost are many, and can sometimes seem inconsistent, as in some cases it achieves two goals that appear to be opposites.

and Composts Community composting areaĬompost is a true “magic bullet” in the garden, fixing many problems in the soil that are reflected by unhealthy plants.

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