Everything you need to know about compost in the garden

Why make compost?

Compost is an organic material created by the decomposition of our daily waste. Composting is an ecological and economical action with great benefits for your garden.

But what are they? First, creating compost is a way to recycle your waste. All the organic waste that could have gone to the trash will go to your compost. By limiting your waste production, you then participate in reducing the pollution caused by garbage collection.

But compost is also the best natural fertilizer for your plants, forget expensive and superficial chemical fertilizers, compost brings the best nutrients to your garden. It contains humus and fertilizers which are released slowly, so your garden is constantly nourished and according to its needs.

Deposited at the foot of your plantations, this natural fertilizer enriches and nourishes your soil and therefore your plants, it improves the structure of your soil.

Indeed, a soil fed with compost becomes more spongy, it better retains the humidity and nutrients necessary for the growth of your plants. Compost helps stabilize the pH of your soil and limits erosion, so your plants are more resilient and thrive best in your garden.

Compost is therefore ideal for your garden, the planet but also for your wallet, it allows you to reduce your expenses for watering, fertilizer and waste collection.

How to create compost?

Creating compost is not very complicated, you just have to know how to go about it!

Compost works by decomposing and fermenting organic waste, including kitchen waste such as eggshells, fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers from your meals or coffee grounds. No question of putting them in the trash when they can join the compost.

But garden waste is also welcome, opt for rather soft waste such as branches, dead leaves, mowed grass or weeds. Obviously, not everything is composted, we leave plastic, metal and glass waste in the trash, but also wood that has been treated.

Place this waste in a wooden or plastic bin, remember to stir well to mix the dry and wet elements in order to start fermentation thanks to the humidity of certain waste.

In the early stages, your compost will need a lot of oxygen and air as this promotes fermentation and the development of micro-organisms. So remember to stir it well!

Be careful to monitor the humidity of your compost, it should be neither too wet nor too dry, so remember to alternate dry plants and wetter plants.

To be sure, take a handful of compost and squeeze it, if nothing flows it is too dry, if a lot of water flows it is because your compost is too wet, only a few drops should flow from your handle.

Otherwise, you can opt for compost tea, in the same way as a tea bag, place well-moistened compost in a cloth or jute bag and let it steep for a week in water. This compost tea will allow you to water your plants to improve their fertility and protect them from disease.