Composting and Mulching Basics

Posted on 08/09/2024

Composting and mulching are two of the most important practices for promoting soil health and helping gardens achieve greater yields. Composting and mulching basics should be part of every gardener's skill set, as they provide key benefits that will help your plants thrive.

What is Composting?

Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into humus-rich compost material through microbial decomposition. Composting provides a way to reuse food scraps and yard waste, while simultaneously improving soil fertility and structure. Compost helps release needed nutrients into the ground and can reduce erosion in an area where it is applied.

To create compost, start by collecting organic matter such as kitchen scraps, garden trimmings, bark, straw, grass clippings, and animal manure. These materials should then be shredded or chopped so that it can breakdown easier. Once you have a good mixture of these materials, layer them in a bin or compost pile with brown (carbon rich) material at the bottom followed by green (nitrogen rich) material on top. Add some water to the mixture to keep it moist but not soaking wet. Finally, turn and stir the mix regularly to ensure even decomposition. Microorganisms will then do all the work for you over time, breaking down the organic matter into nutrient-rich compost that can be used as a soil amendment in your garden beds or containers.

What is Mulching?

Mulching is the practice of covering the soil surface with organic material such as wood chips, straw, grass clippings, leaf litter or bark chips in order to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and insulate root systems from extreme temperatures. When done properly, mulch also has the ability to add nutrients to the soil over time as it breaks down due to microbial activity.

Before you begin mulching your garden beds or containers, remove any existing weeds using either manual pulling or other non-chemical methods that won't damage nearby plants or contaminate your soil (for example: boiling water). Make sure that the area has had sufficient moisture before proceeding with the mulching. Apply several inches of organic material across the entire surface of your desired area - more if possible - making sure that there are no large gaps between sections. Avoid building up too much on top of existing plant roots or stems as this could damage them over time and lead to poor growth and dysfunction later on down the road.

When To Use Compost vs Mulch?

The decision between compost and mulch often extends beyond just what looks better visually in a certain landscape setting - although aesthetics should never be overlooked as they play an important role in making something visually pleasing for its inhabitants! Depending on your desired outcome - whether it be for aesthetic purposes or functional - both types of material can bring unique benefits to a space when used correctly:

Compost: When mixed with soil, compost adds necessary nutrients back into depleted soils. It also helps improve overall soil structure by increasing microbial activity which results in better aeration for root growth as well as improved water retention capacity overall. On top of this, compost helps discourage weed growth since nitrogen-seeking weed seeds prefer not to germinate where there is already healthy levels of nitrogen present (which compost contains).

Mulch: When applied correctly around existing plants in your garden (leaving at least 2-3 inches away from stem bases/roots), mulch can offer protection from extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat or frost while also suppressing weed competition nearby thus allowing plants access to more available resources than if left unmulched with bare soil surface exposed to competition from unwanted vegetation species present. Mulch can also help retain soil moisture given its lighter weight compared to compost (meaning less water would evaporate away during dryer spells when no rainfall occurs). Mulch also helps insulate roots from extreme temperature extremes therefore decreasing stress associated with sudden changes throughout seasons which could be harmful otherwise if left unprotected from these elements without any sort of protective layer like mulch provides us with!