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5 WAYS TO USE HOME GROWN COMPOST
Written by Katie
June 2020
COMPOST. My new favourite passion and topic. We recently interviewed a Resource Waste Management expert on our podcast where we discussed composting at length! We discussed the benefits of at home composting, what biodegradable means, what can and can't be composted and so much more!
However, one thing we forget to discuss was what to do when you at-home compost is ready to use! Hence, the blog!
BUT FIRST: Check out this awesome Tip Sheet to find out when your compost is ready to use. I used this PDF as a rescue for this blog, as it's extremely concise and helpful!
1. Add to your vegetable gardens or veggie pots
If you are growing vegetables at home, whether in a raised bed in your yard or in a pot on your balcaony, compost can be a great way to encourage new growth and add a ton of nutrients to your soil. Simply spread several inches of compost on the top of your soil prior to planting your seeds. You can also continue to apply some compost around your growing vegetables.
2. Add to your indoor plant pots
Indoor plants are incredible, and we promote them often! They offer so many benefits, such as low-waste decor, fresher air and an overall green aesthetic we can't get enough of. To keep your indoor plants healthy and soil nourished, add a layer of compost to potted plants one-two times a year.
3. Add to your flower beds
Whether you are growing flowers in window boxes or in your yard, they can highly benefit from compost as it improves overall health of your soil where they grow! Whenever you go to plant your flowers, simply mix a layer of compost with the soil.
4. Use to plant fruit trees
Peach trees, apple trees, plum trees, fig trees, you name it! While flowers and vegetables are amazing to grow, growing a fruit tree can also be an amazing experiment. Using compost when you plant your new trees will "serve as a substitute for the layer of organic matter that naturally exists on the forest floor: it provides organic nutrients, reduces moisture loss, and keeps the soil cool". How awesome is that! "When planting a new tree, it’s best to work 1/2– 1 inch of compost into the top 2 inches of soil" - Earth Matter.
5. Give to neighbours or friends
And hey, maybe you don't have the room to garden, or plant trees, and you kill every houseplant you own. NO PROBLEM! We still encourage you to compost at home, and give your compost to a friend, farmer or neighbour who could use it.
Thanks for reading! Happy composting!