When you’re ready to plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers, you’ll likely want tips on how to make your garden grow healthy and strong. In addition to regular watering, fertilization, and using the right garden supplies, your plants will become more robust when you add compost to the soil. Below, is a helpful guide on composting for your flowerbeds.

Your Guide to Garden Composting

Benefits

Compost enriches the soil in your garden, which assists with moisture retention along with pest and disease prevention. It also encourages the growth of helpful bacteria and fungi that create a nutrient-rich substance called “humus” by breaking down organic materials. Perhaps most crucial, composting minimizes landfill waste and reduces greenhouse emissions.

How to Make It

You can compost several different organic materials, including vegetable and fruit scraps, egg and nut shells, tea leaves, and coffee grounds. You should also include lawn maintenance debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, in your compost bin.

The most straightforward way to get a compost pile started is by placing a freestanding bin (purchased from any garden supplies store) in an area that receives adequate rainfall. When you’re ready to discard organic material, add it to the bin, and within about 12 to 18 months, you’ll have ready-to-use compost. 

When to Compost

It’s best to add homemade compost to your garden during the autumn months. Layer about two to three inches of compost onto your flowerbeds, and use a bow rake to settle it into the earth. Doing so allows the compost to decompose and enrich the soil by the time spring arrives. 

Improve the health of your plants and flowers with garden supplies from Bethel Feed & Supply Pet & Garden Center. Founded in 1858, this locally-owned and -operated business provides pet accessories, livestock supplies, and lawn care equipment to clients throughout Bethel, OH. Call (513) 734-2246 to order garden supplies, and visit them online to learn more about the agricultural equipment they carry.