What Are The Benefits of Composting?

There are many benefits to starting your own compost pile, whether your end goal is a lower environmental impact, a better garden, or just a green, lush lawn. Compost provides benefits to soil it's used in, improving moisture absorption and drainage. This is especially true if your soil is of poor quality. That means that by using compost in your garden, you can grow more plants in soils they wouldn't ordinarily be suited for. While compost isn't a particularly effective fertilizer on its own, the reduction in runoff that results from its use makes existing fertilizers (both natural and chemical) a lot more effective. Fertilizer contamination of water is also significantly reduced.

The environmental benefits of using compost are significant. Making use of this material can help clean up contaminated soil, reducing runoff of toxic materials and binding some toxins. Compost can help reduce erosion on lake, stream, and river banks, as well as along roads. Composting also makes use of materials that would otherwise be waste, including food scraps, yard clippings, small animal bedding and much more.

Economic benefits of composting include reduction in the cost of fertilizer and other materials required for healthy plant production. This material is cheaper than using artificial soil, and helps cities and communities be environmentally responsible. You don't have to be a town or municipality to start a compost pile, however. Anyone can make one in their own backyard, using "brown" matter - leaves, grass clippings, shredded paper, and similar materials - mixed with "green" matter - vegetable waste and the like. Make sure to keep your pile where it won't be accessible to scavengers, such as rats and opossums, and avoid including animal products and waste from meat eating pets in the pile. Otherwise, it can produce an unpleasant smell and attract pets. If you maintain your compost pile carefully, you'll be able to dispose of materials you'd otherwise have to throw out, and the reward will be great material for helping your plants grow.

You'll know your compost is finished once it's dark, crumbly, and has no additional smell. You may see worms, snails, or slugs in the pile. The former can be a great addition to your garden. The latter two should be removed as well as you can before adding compost to your plants, because they eat plant matter. Fortunately, the compost pile provides them with a steady supply of food, keeping them out of the lettuce. You can spread compost around trees, on flower beds and vegetable gardens, and even on top of the lawn. Don't make it too thick on top of already growing plants, and it will quickly sink down to become part of the dirt. Enjoy the great benefits of composting and start your own compost pile today.

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