The Fine Art of Composting

As a gardener, I enjoy having access to fresh compost throughout the growing season. A walk in the woods or forest reminds me that the natural breakdown of plant material provides nourishment to the trees, shrubs and grasses in nature. The same process is possible in my garden and flowerbed with some planning. I used to use a tumbler because it seemed easier to turn the compost. Last year, I created a pile in a shady corner of the yard and fed the pile throughout the season. Moderate care through the winter months has maintained the breakdown of the fall cuttings that were added.

My neighbor wants to start a compost pile this spring, so we will get started in early March. A compost pile can be started any time throughout the year. I had to remind my gardening neighbor that some seasonal limitations exist.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE COMPOST PILE

• “Green” materials – This is living plant matter that provides nitrogen. Grass clippings, food scraps and plant materials fall into this category.

• · “Brown” materials – Dead plant matter provides carbon for the compost pile. Thatch from the lawn, fallen leaves and stalks from the garden plants and flowers comprise this category.

• “Starter” – Various enzymes must be added to the compost pile to jump start the bacterial growth process. Animal manure, fertilizer or a commercial starter can be used. Some gardeners use beer to start the process.

• Watering hose or can – A convenient water source is important since the compost pile requires additional moisture throughout the hot summer season.

• Garden fork – This helpful tool is used to turn the compost pile to aerate the contents. More air in the layers will cause good bacteria to thrive.

STEPS TO ESTABLISH A COMPOST PILE

Before spring, I spend time staring out the window at the yard and garden. New projects race through my mind and my To-Do list grows each day. Planning is just as much fun as creating the compost pile.

• Step 1 – Find a dry, shady spot in the yard that will be reachable with the water hose and close to the garden. The optimal size is three to five feet square.

• Step 2 – Determine the best method to shred or chop the ingredients. Uniform pieces will decompose easier in the pile.

• Step 3 – The first layer in the pile should be six inches of “browns” if any dried materials remain from the fall. A good watering is necessary to moisten this layer.

• Step 4 – A three-inch layer of greens can be created when the lawn is mowed for the first time. Kitchen scraps are an important part of this layer. A three-to-one ratio of brown to green is important.

• Step 5 – Add some garden soil or mature compost on top. The microbes in this layer will provide the start for the decomposition process throughout the pile.

• Step 6 – Maintain a consistent schedule of turning the pile every one to two weeks with the garden fork. Mix the pile to distribute the moisture. Add more water if dry places exist. Consistent turning keeps the pile active.

Heat is generated in the center of the compost pile as the microbes consume the plant matter. Months will pass as the pile makes beautiful compost that can be used to feed the garden plants and flowers around the yard.

Prepare Your Garden Now for a Rewarding 2013

Whether you are planting your first garden or you are a seasoned gardener, planning and preparation is essential for a fruitful harvest. Start preparing in mid-winter so that when the ground thaws for spring you are ready to begin planting. Continue reading to discover what you can do this February to ensure a more productive garden at your Ohio home.

Choose the Garden Area

Depending on your living conditions, you may need to plant your garden indoors, which will severely limit the number and variety of plants in your garden. If your outdoor space is small or the soil is too difficult to manage, consider container plants or raised beds. You can plant most plants including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in these. However, some plants including corn, which requires several plants for pollination, is difficult to plant unless you have a large plot. Draw a map of your gardening area to determine the placement of plants, so you make the most of whatever space you choose.

Organic or Not?

If you want to grow a garden that is free of chemicals or genetically modified plants, you will want to go organic. This means you will need an organic soil and organic seeds or seedlings. Additionally, you want to use all-natural fertilizers and pesticides. Alternatively, you may choose companion planting, which is the positioning of plants so they repel insects and benefit the soil for each other. Organic gardening takes a lot of organization, so you need to start your research and planning for this type of garden as early as possible.

Go Shopping

Take this time to get your garden in order. Do you need to replace a rusty rake or holey gardening gloves? Start shopping now so you have the essentials, such as tools, fertilizer, soil additives and seeds, ready for the start of spring. Order seed catalogs online from companies that are nearest to the Ohio region, such as from Sand Hill Preservation Center or Seed Savers who are both located in Iowa, as seeds and plants from nearby companies are more likely to grow in your area. By preparing early, you have more energy and time to focus on your plants.

Start Your Seedlings Indoors

Get a head start by starting your plants indoors. Seeds are much more affordable than seedlings, but you will need to provide them with plenty of sunlight and water. Additionally, the correct growing conditions, i.e. light and temperature, vary per plant. For each of your seeds, do your research to determine the optimal growing conditions. Planting your seeds indoors ensures you will have plants ready to go into the ground as soon as springtime arrives.

Prep the Area

If you are planting outdoors in a field or raised bed, you will need to prepare the space. Clear out any fallen leaves, twigs or branches that are in your gardening plot. Give the soil a boost by testing it for nutrients. Contact your local cooperative extension office for tips and tools for testing soil. Prepare to add nutrients, such as nitrogen or aluminum sulfate, as soon as the ground can be tilled in order to make the soil more or less alkaline or acidic. In Ohio soil naturally is more acidic, so you will most likely need to supplement with lime for a more fertile soil.