Compost

Grass clippings, potato peelings, onion tops and other vegetative waste material can be made into a valuable soil conditioner and plant food for fall garden beds by remaining in a compost heap this summer.

Compost can be used in several ways. It provides a good usable soil amendment for the garden and is certainly much less expensive than peat. Incorporated into the soil or around plants it is beneficial in improving soil texture, water holding capacity and nutrient retention. Also, compost is used on the soil surface as a mulch to control weeds and conserve moisture. Or, you can mix your compost with soil and use it for potting plants.

As vegetative materials, materials which will rot or decompose, become available, place them in layers between soil in a prepared frame or bin. Materials such as leaves, waste from fresh summer vegetables, straw and sawdust make excellent compost.

Choose an out-of-the-way location for the compost area, since the heap may appear untidy. Choose a location that is convenient to the gardening area and to the kitchen door. Usually, the small area behind the garage or between the utility room and the neighboring fence is ideal for framing and constructing the compost heap.

Decomposition of the plant matter will require heat and moisture for quick breakdown. The summer sun will provide the heat, but it will be the gardener's responsibility to soak the compost area from time to time for the moisture.

A light sprinkling of fertilizer between layers of added compost will aid in decomposition and replace the nitrogen used in breaking down raw materials into compost. Animal manures are rich, valuable garden soil additives and may be used in lieu of soil between the layers of compost. The heat generated by the manures will induce quick decomposition of raw compost.

Some manures, particularly cow manures, may also add undesirable weeds to garden beds when the compost is applied. However, the value it offers the garden soils far outweighs the need to eliminate manure-induced weeds.

The compost should be turned with a garden fork from time to time to aerate and to promote even decomposition.

The summer months, when heat is present, are the best time for decomposition and compost preparation. Usually a compost prepared in the summer is ready for fall gardening or for a spring soil conditioner and plant food.