Landscaping Ideas: How to Embrace Your Lawn and Garden

Compost can be a secret weapon in your battle for healthy grass and gardens. The following are just five of the uses for this versatile soil amendment. 

1. New Lawn Preparation

Soil preparation is key when you are installing a lawn, whether you plant it from seed or sod. Soil amendments like fresh topsoil and fertilizers are typically applied before planting to ensure the new grass has good soil to grow in. When adding your amendments, till in a few inches of compost. The compost adds organic matter, which aids in moisture retention and providing good soil structure. The compost also provides trace nutrients to the new grass. 

2. Building Garden Soil

Whether you grow flowers or vegetables, your results are only as good as your soil. Gardening depletes the soil of nutrients and organic matter. Tilling in a 2-inch thick layer of compost each year before you plant replenishes the nutrients. Your plants will grow healthier and be much more productive when you take the time to build good garden soil.

3. Fertilizer Additions

The types of nutrients in compost vary. For example, manure composts tend to be high in nitrogen. If you want to give your plants a little nutrient boost, you can apply a manure compost for extra nitrogen. Even standard compost made from plant debris will provide nitrogen, potassium, and other trace nutrients. Spread a bit around your existing plants if they seem to need a nutritional boost. You can even mix compost with water to create a compost tea fertilizer, which can be used for houseplants.

4. Mulching and Topdressing

Compost can provide mulching benefits. Spread a 2-inch layer over perennial garden beds to help conserve moisture in the soil. You can also use a fertilizer spreader to apply a thin layer over your lawn. Keep in mind that weeds will still grow through compost, so if you need a weed-suppressing mulch, you will need to add a layer of wood chips or straw over the compost.

5. Tree and Shrub Food

Trees and shrubs also benefit from periodic compost application. Simply spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost over the soil around the base of the tree or shrub. Just make sure that no compost is in contact with the trunks or woody stems of the plants, as the moisture in the compost can cause the bark to rot. Each time you water your trees and shrubs, some of the nutrients from the compost will leach down into the root zones.

Contact a compost supply company to schedule a delivery today.