What is the Best Compost for Your Garden?

Compost is one of the best things you can add to your garden soil. It provides nutrients for plants and helps improve soil structure and drainage. But with so many compost options available, how do you know which is the best compost to use in your garden? This article will explore the different types of compost and provide tips on choosing the best compost for your specific gardening needs.

An Overview of Compost

Compost is decayed organic matter that is used as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment. It is created by combining organic wastes like food scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and manure in proper ratios and allowing microorganisms to break them down. This process produces a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material called compost or humus.

Compost provides many benefits to garden soil:

• Adds organic matter and improves soil structure
• Supplies nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
• Helps retain moisture in the soil
• Creates habitat and food for helpful soil organisms
• Can suppress certain soil-borne diseases
• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers

Different Types of Compost

There are several different types of bagged compost you can buy for your garden:

Yard Waste Compost

This compost is made from plant materials like leaves, grass clippings, and chipped wood or bark It has a relatively low nutrient content but is excellent for improving soil structure. Yard waste compost works well for amending garden beds, mulching, and improving drainage in heavy clay soils

Manure Compost

Composted manure from cows, horses, chickens, and other livestock makes an excellent compost that is higher in nutrients than yard waste compost. It provides nitrogen as well as other macro- and micronutrients plants need. Manure compost is great for boosting soil fertility and plant growth. However it may have an unpleasant odor.

Green/Food Waste Compost

Made from food scraps, coffee grounds, and plant materials, green compost has a very high nutrient content. It can be used to provide a nutritional boost to vegetable gardens, flower beds, trees, and shrubs. Be aware that uncomposted green waste can be very strong smelling.

Vermicompost

This type of compost is made through vermicomposting – using worms to break down organic matter. Vermicompost contains worm castings which provide nutrients, humic acids, and beneficial microbes. It’s an excellent, nutrient-dense organic fertilizer, though more expensive than other composts.

Mushroom Compost

A byproduct of commercial mushroom production, mushroom compost contains straw, manure, peat moss, and spent mushroom substrate It has few macro-nutrients but useful for improving soil structure and drainage. Best for mulching and top-dressing lawns

What to Look for When Choosing Compost

When deciding which compost to buy, consider these factors:

• Nutrient levels – Choose compost with NPK ratios suitable for your needs. Manure and green composts tend to be higher.

• Organic matter – Opt for compost with 40% to 60% organic matter, which will improve soil structure and moisture retention.

• Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio – Aim for a C:N ratio around 20 to 30:1, optimal for plant growth.

• Particle size – Compost with a fine, sifted texture incorporates into soil more easily.

• Odor – Should have an earthy smell. Avoid strong odors which indicates immature compost.

• Certified organic – Look for compost certified organic by OMRI or other organizations if desired.

• Cost – Higher quality compost usually costs more. But even inexpensive compost can benefit gardens if used properly.

Tips for Using Compost in Your Garden

• Add compost when preparing new garden beds – mix in several inches of compost to enrich the soil

• Replenish old garden beds each season with 1-2 inches of fresh compost

• Use compost as a side-dressing around vegetables and flowers during the growing season

• Add compost when planting trees, shrubs, and perennials to give them a nutritional boost

• Amend potting mix with up to 25% compost when planting containers and pots

• High nutrient composts like manure work well for vegetable gardens while yard waste compost can rebuild flower beds

• Screen compost before applying to remove sticks, rocks and other debris

• Limit high-nutrient composts for seed starting mixes, which require lower fertility

Incorporating quality compost into your garden soil provides a wealth of benefits for plant growth and overall soil health. Take stock of your specific gardening needs and soil conditions, then select a compost that makes the most sense for your situation. With proper use, compost can transform poor quality soil into productive, healthy garden beds that grow thriving flowers, vegetables, and other plants.