Once the compost is produced, all you have to do is use it. It is an extraordinary material that is the result of a wonderful transformation that turns potato skins and cut grass into a beautiful black soil full of nutrients. The beauty lies in its functionality! Here are some simple methods of using compost, have fun!
Steps
Step 1. Know when the compost is ready
Keeping an eye on your compost pile weekly should be easy to figure out. Compost is ready when it is:
- dark brown or black
- soft
- crumbly
- mostly uniform (you can put the eggshells still intact in the heap)
- scented of undergrowth
Step 2. Sowing
Make a planting mix with 1 part compost and 3 parts soil to fill the pots up to 2cm from the edge. Sow your seedlings as you usually do.
Step 3. Transplant the shoots
Plants that have already rooted can withstand a higher percentage of compost (1 part compost with 2 parts of soil).
Step 4. Feed the already grown plants
If you already have seedlings (flowers, herbs or vegetables) you can put compost on the surface of the soil in the pot (if there is not enough space you can remove the top layer and replace it with compost).
Step 5. Spread it in the garden
Spread a layer of compost on the surface of the garden to feed the plants. The water will carry the compost nutrients underground. You can also fertilize trees and lawns with this method.
You can also use compost in raised, non-digging gardens. For these types of gardens, especially raised ones, you can spread a layer of compost as deep as you like
Step 6. Plant it in the garden
If you use double digging, you can add as much compost as you want, mixing it with the freshly dug soil. It is an excellent enricher for sandy and clayey soils.
Step 7. Plant directly in the compost
If you've ever found a plant that has germinated directly in the compost pile, you've probably noticed that it doesn't suffer. For some plants it can be too rich a substrate and the still decaying carbon can "sequester" nitrogen useful to the plants, but if you have extra seeds, you can plant them directly on the compost pile.
Advice
- If your soil tends to be sandy or clayey, compost is a great addition.
- You can't add too much compost - it's always best to make a mix, especially with fresh compost. In this way you will provide a different "set" of nutrients than those present in the compost and will increase the water retention capacity of the soil.
- Give the compost time to mature before using it, especially if you want to use a lot of it. Spread it on the ground a month before planting.
