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When it comes to growing a healthy and productive vegetable garden, compost is an essential ingredient.
Compost is a mixture of organic matter that has decomposed and transformed into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Here I will take you through everything you need to know about choosing the best compost for growing vegetables.
Compost is a mixture of organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings, and food waste, that are decomposed and transformed into a rich, soil-like substance.
Compost is used as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment for plants, as it provides essential nutrients and improves soil structure.
The decomposition process of composting is performed by a combination of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, which break down the organic matter into smaller, more manageable compounds.
Green compost consists of fresh, green plant material, such as grass clippings, fresh leaves, and vegetable scraps.
Brown compost consists of dry, brown plant material, such as fallen leaves, straw, and wood chips.
The best compost for a vegetable garden is a well-balanced, nutrient-rich compost made from a mix of organic materials.
The compost should contain a mix of both “green” materials, such as fresh grass clippings and vegetable scraps, which are high in nitrogen and moisture, and “brown” materials, such as fallen leaves, straw, and sawdust, which are high in carbon and provide structure.
It is also important to avoid using any compost that has a strong, unpleasant odor, as this may indicate that it is not fully decomposed and could harm your plants.
Additionally, it is best to choose a compost that has been composted for at least a few months, allowing time for the ingredients to fully decompose and mature into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Compost is a term that is also used to describe growing media that can be purchased for growing plants.
Multipurpose bagged compost is available for potting on plants, and seed compost is also available for growing seeds.
The term compost when used to refer to growing media is typically purchased to fill containers for growing plants or to fill a raised bed for growing vegetables.
If you are looking for the best bagged compost for the garden, this is my top pick.
The Best Compost for Garden Beds
As an avid gardener, I’m always looking for ways to improve the health and productivity of my garden beds One of the best things you can do is add high-quality compost Compost provides nutrients for plants and helps improve soil structure. In this article, I’ll share my tips for choosing the best compost for garden beds based on my years of experience.
What to Look For
When selecting compost for your vegetable or flower beds, there are a few key things to consider:
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Organic – Make sure the compost contains only organic materials and no synthetics or chemicals. Organic compost improves soil health without toxic contaminants.
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Nutrient content – The best compost contains a blend of macro and micronutrients plants need, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Nutrient levels are usually listed on the bag or product description.
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Consistency – Quality compost should be dark brown or black, moist but not soggy, and have a crumbly texture without large chunks.
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Odor – Properly aged compost has an earthy smell. Strong odors like ammonia indicate it’s not fully decomposed.
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Local sources – I prefer compost sourced nearby when possible to reduce transport emissions. Local materials are also well-suited to my region’s soil needs.
Top Compost Products
After testing many options over the years, these are my top picks for pre-bagged compost products for garden beds:
- Espoma Organic Compost
My all-time favorite is Espoma organic compost. It’s on the pricier side, but the quality is outstanding. I’ve found it consistently improves soil texture and moisture retention. It contains mycorrhizae fungi to help plants absorb nutrients. This compost has an earthy smell and fine texture.
- Black Kow Cow Manure Compost
For a more budget-friendly option, Black Kow cow manure compost provides great bang for your buck. It’s available at most home improvement stores. I’ve used it to revive compacted soil and add organic matter. Surprisingly, it has very little odor. The consistency can be a bit variable between bags.
- Earthworm Soil Builder
Worm castings make excellent compost for beds! I like Earthworm Soil Builder, which contains 100% earthworm castings. The castings have more nutrients and humic acids than regular compost. It’s suitable for all garden plants and safe for kids and pets. The granular texture blends easily into soil.
- Organic Plant Magic Compost
For a fast-acting vegetable garden booster, I recommend Organic Plant Magic compost. It contains extra nitrogen, bat guano, worm castings, and other amendments to pep up vegetables and herbs. I mix a few handfuls into each planting hole and as side dressing. It shows results in days, not weeks.
Homemade Compost
While quality pre-bagged compost can be worth the investment, making your own compost at home is rewarding and costs nothing but your time and effort. Homemade compost allows you to control exactly what goes into it. Here are some tips:
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Use a mix of “greens” like plant debris, coffee grounds, and grass clippings, and “browns” like dried leaves, straw, and wood chips. The ideal ratio is 2 parts browns to 1 part greens.
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Chop or shred materials into smaller pieces to speed decomposition.
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Turn and aerate the pile weekly with a pitchfork.
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Moisture content should be like a wrung-out sponge, not too dry or soggy.
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Finished compost will take 4-6 months to fully cure. It’s ready when dark brown and earthy-smelling.
Adding Compost to Beds
When using compost, here are some application guidelines:
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Focus on beds being planted – Prioritize newly planted beds or those needing improvement
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Apply 1-3 inches – This gives plants a good nutrient boost without overdoing it
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Mix into soil – Use a tiller or spading fork to blend compost into the top 6 inches of soil
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Side dress around plants – Sprinkle extra around transplants or demanding crops like tomatoes
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Mulch on top – Layer an inch or two of compost as mulch to retain moisture and inhibit weeds
Why is it Important to Avoid using Peat Moss?
When purchasing compost from a garden center or online, it is important to choose a bagged compost that does not use peat moss in the mix.
Sometimes you will need to look carefully at the package and the list of included elements in the compost to determine if peat has been added.
This is important for several reasons:
Peat moss, including sphagnum peat moss, is harvested from peat bogs, which are important carbon sinks and habitats for a variety of species.
Harvesting peat moss contributes to the destruction of these habitats and the release of large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
Peat moss takes thousands of years to form, and its rate of production is much slower than its rate of use.
This means that it is an unsustainable resource that will eventually be depleted if it continues to be harvested at its current rate.
Peat moss is naturally acidic, with a pH around 4.0 to 4.5.
While some plants, such as blueberries, prefer acidic soil, most garden plants prefer a slightly alkaline soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
Using peat moss in the garden can make the soil more acidic, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies in plants and reduce their growth.
Peat moss is often sold in compressed bales, which can lead to soil compaction when used in the garden.
This can reduce the soils ability to hold water and air, which is essential for plant growth.
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How to Use Compost in the Garden
Compost can be used in the garden in a variety of ways to improve soil health, fertility, and plant growth.
Here are some ways to use compost in your garden:
Compost can be added to the soil as a soil amendment to improve fertility, water-holding capacity, and structure.
Spread a layer of compost over the soil and work it into the top few inches of soil before planting.
Compost can also be used as a mulch around plants to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Spread a 2-3 inch layer of compost around the base of plants, being careful not to cover the stems.
Check out my guide: The Best Alternatives to Traditional Mulch for Your Garden.
Compost can be steeped in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer known as compost tea.
Compost tea can be used to water plants, or as a foliar spray to improve plant health and vigor.
Check out my full guide: A Simple Recipe for Rich Compost Tea.
How to Choose BAGGED SOIL for Your Garden
FAQ
What is the best type of compost for a garden?
Vermicompost is good for all plant life because the earthworms encourage plant germination and improve the soil’s ability to retain water.Aug 1, 2020
What compost is best for plant beds?
Multi-purpose or all-purpose peat free compost
As the name suggests, this compost has many uses. A good quality peat free compost such as Miracle-Gro Premium Peat Free, can be used for pots and containers, planting in beds and borders, sowing larger seeds and taking cuttings as well as for growing fruit and vegetables.
What is the best material to fill raised garden beds with?
Filling raised beds
Ideal garden soil is loose, deep, and crumbly. It holds water for root uptake and allows excess rainfall to percolate downward quickly. The organic matter (OM) content in a raised bed containing garden soil, should be 25%-50% by volume or 5%-15% by weight (as measured by a soil testing lab).
What is the best store bought compost for gardeners?
Blue Ribbon Organic Compost is one of the most recommended bagged composts by gardeners, and it’s easy to see why. This high-quality compost is made from recycled materials like brush, grass clippings, and leaves.