
I have compost ready for the garden - can it be applied in fall and winter or will it be wasted and leached away? I need the barrels to make more compost.
Sheena Adams, Organic expert Both spring and fall through winter are fantastic times to add compost to your garden. Adding compost to your garden has long-term benefits, so no need to worry about leaching from the heavy rains.
The compost will add organic matter to the garden and get the soil micro-organisms and beneficial bacteria working, so go ahead and empty the compost bins and prepare to refill them with your fall leaves and winter kitchen scraps.
A balanced addition of nitrogen- and carbon-producing products will help the compost to break down faster. In winter, increase nitrogen by adding coffee grounds, glacial rock dust and bloodmeal to keep the heat up.
Comments
I was always under the impression that compost didn't actually add any nutrients to the soil at all. Not to say that it isn't beneficial or anything, but that there shouldn't be any worry about leaching. In fact, isn't it better if there's loads of rain after adding compost or any other organic matter to the soil ? I would think it would help push some of that 'good stuff' down into the soil, much the way manure tea works. Thoughts ?
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