How To Add Compost to Plants

Adding compost helps plants thrive and flourish.Compost is organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps.Adding compost improves the texture and health of the soil by allowing more air space in between the particulates.It creates a healthy environment for your flowers and vegetables.Adding compost to your plants can be done in a number of ways, including watering them with compost tea, amending your soil, digging compost holes, and using compost as mulch.The quality of your garden soil will be improved by all of these methods.

Step 1: Compost at home.

Layer the soil with organic materials to create a compost heap.Fresh leaves, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable scraps are some of the green materials.Don't add meat, oil, fat, or dairy to your compost.If the heap is wet, water it until it is dry.There are many ways to set up a compost system.You should mix your compost with a shovel or pitchfork.

Step 2: The compost should be high-quality.

You can purchase compost if you don't have the time, space, or materials to make your own compost.Some compost contains human sewage, pharmaceuticals, and solvents, so you need to choose carefully.There are composts that contain leaf mold, yard waste, and animal waste.The bag should be light, fluffy, and smell good.Don't buy compost that smells of ammonia, feels sandy, or is heavy.Pick out compost from your local garden shop so that you can smell and feel it before buying it.

Step 3: Before using your compost, make sure it has been properly decomposing.

Compost is ready when it is dark brown and has a smell.It should not smell like ammonia.The compost needs more time to break down if you want to use it in your garden.

Step 4: The bag should be filled with compost.

If you don't have a bag, you can use an old pillowcase.Close the open end of the bag or case with compost.

Step 5: The compost bag should be submerged in the tub of water.

Place your compost bag inside of a tub, bin, or bucket if you fill it with water.Water can get into the bag and compost by shaking it around.

Step 6: Allow the bag to steep for a few days.

Allow the bag to steep for two to three days to allow the compost and water to mix.The water will be the color of tea when you see it.

Step 7: Compost tea can be sprayed on your plants.

The compost tea should be put in a spray bottle or watering can.You can give your plants a drink of water by spraying it around or pouring it on them.You can spread the wet compost around your garden by using the bag of compost.

Step 8: Compost can be spread on top of your soil.

Your plants will flourish if your garden soil is amended.Compost can be added to the soil around the plants in your garden.Stay close to the bases of existing plants.

Step 9: The compost should be left undisturbed near your plants.

Plants that are already growing in your garden should not be disturbed.Rather than raking and tilling the compost around your plants, leave it in a 1 foot (30 cm) circle around the base of the plants.

Step 10: Rake

If you want to mix the compost into your existing soil, you need to rake and till it into the upper 6 inches (15 cm) of the soil around your plants.This will allow the compost to enrich your soil.

Step 11: Water your garden.

When the soil is moist, lightly water your garden.This helps the compost to get into the deeper layers of the soil, which will feed your plants.

Step 12: The holes are deep in your garden.

You can use a spade or shovel to dig several holes in your garden rows.You can fill in the holes with the compost you have on hand.

Step 13: Put 2 quarts of compost in each hole.

2 US quarts of compost can be poured into each hole.You don't want to fill the entire hole with compost, as you'll add some of the existing garden soil to the hole as well

Step 14: The rest of the hole should be filled with soil.

Use the soil you removed from the hole to cover the compost with soil until it is level with the rest of the garden bed.The compost will enrich the soil in your garden and help your plants grow.

Step 15: There are weeds and grass away from the area.

Remove weeds and grass from the area to make sure nothing grows through your new layer of mulch.It is important to remove the weed roots from the ground.

Step 16: The compost needs to be screened.

The compost can be sieved through a screen.Attach a mesh hardware cloth to a wooden frame and you can make your own screen.Put your screen over the wheelbarrow and sift the compost.You can reserve the large pieces for the compost pile.

Step 17: The compost can be used to cover your garden plot.

Spread compost over the top layer of soil in your garden.Spread the mulch evenly around the plants.The compost layer should be 2 inches away from the base of the plants.