HOW TO….USE YOUR COMPOST
Once your compost is ready, you can use it to create a beautiful garden. You‟ll know when your compost is ready for use as it will be dark brown in colour and will have an earthy smell. Don‟t worry if the compost doesn‟t look like the stuff you buy from garden centres. It may be lumpy, with twigs and bits of eggshells in, but will be still as effective. If required, the compost maybe sieved for a finer finish any large twigs can just be put back to carry on composting. Here are some tips and uses… New garden or flowerbed: Help your new plants and flowers bloom by digging a 4-inch layer of compost into the soil prior to planting. Fresh plants will enjoy the benefits of compost‟s fertility, disease-protection and moisture control. If the flowers have already been planted, simply spread a thin layer of the material around the base of the plants – the nutrients will work their way into the roots. As mulch: Use compost that is not quite finished and still has larger chunks of wood and organic debris present. Mulch works well around shrubs and rose bushes. The more you prune the shrub, the more compost you can apply. Leave a gap around any soft stemmed plants as the compost will „scorch‟ them. Around trees: Spread a 5 – 10 cm (2-4 inch) layer around the roots to provide nutrients, protect mature or newly planted trees from drought and disease and help suppress weed growth. Apply the compost once or twice a year. Enrich borders: Spread a two-inch layer of compost over the existing soil surface – worms will quickly work the compost down to soil level. Alternatively dig a similar amount into the soil of the bed prior to planting. Again, remember to leave a gap around soft stemmed plants. Plant new containers for the patio: Mix regular soil with finished compost to create your own potting mix for houseplants. About a third of the mix should be compost, less when you are planting seeds, the rest soil, to allow the plant roots to take hold firmly.
Replenish established containers: Give your pot plants and containers an extra boost. Remove the top few inches of existing soil and replace with your nutritious new compost, leaving a gap around any soft-stemmed plants. Feed the lawn: Sieve the compost and dress the lawn. You‟ll need to spread the compost to a depth of about ¼ of an inch over a newly seeded lawn to help young grass take root and thrive, mixing it with sharp sand will help to spread it evenly. Mature lawns will also benefit from a “compost boost”. Healthy herbs and vegetables: Compost works well for growing herbs such as chives, parsley and mint. Crumble some compost around the base for healthier herbs. Vegetables thrive in compost and you end up with a healthier crop. Apply compost with each rotation, or use it to earth your potatoes and carrots.