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| Composting for Your Garden by Julie Sedwick Today I would like to talk a little bit about composting. Using compost in your gardens, whether it be flower or vegatable, it is the only
way to go. Not only is it healthier for your garden, it is healthy for you and any wildlife, whose life might depend on your garden. There
is a great mystery surrounding composting. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. There are many good books on the
subject, check out the garden spot shop.
When you decide to create a compost, you start with planning.
How much space can you set aside for this? If you live in the country you will have more room than say , if you live in an apartment. The amount of room will decide, if you use a compost container or put one on the ground. If you live in an apartment you could use a plastic bin or trash can. If you live where you have more room you could use concrete blocks to form a square, but leave an opening where you can get in to turn and work it. If you live in the country you could just use a space near your garden where you have easy access to use it in the garden when ready.
There are certain things that you don't want in your compost.
Any manure that comes from an animal that eats any kind of meat or animal by-products.
The walnut tree produces a non-toxic, colorless, chemical called hydrojuglone. Hydrojuglone is found in leaves, stems, fruit hulls, inner bark and roots. When exposed to air or soil compounds, hydrojuglone is oxidized into the allelochemical juglone, which is highly toxic.
Allelopathy inhibits germination and growth of other plant life. Since walnut tree debri are alleopathic you don't want that in your
compost.
Salt in access, oils and fats, tea bags,and dairy products, all of these can inhibit the growth of micro-organisms that are helpful to the
production of nutritious compost.
Compost needs are, carbon (dried brown plant matter), nitrogen (green wilted plant matter), air, and water. When you plan your compost pile
you will have to make sure you have a water source nearby. Compost will generate heat and that is how you know it is doing it's job.
A compost pile should never have a foul odor, it should have a earthy smell. That good smell that you enjoy in the woods.
For a more indepth look at compost check out the garden spot shop for some great information.
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