As I’ve mentioned before in this blog, there’s no point in aiming for total accuracy when it comes to composting. Unless you are a commercial operation with access to a lab, it’s better to try and get things about right rather than exactly right. There’s simply no way that the home composter can get C:N …
Monty Compost Monitoring Technology: Interview with CEO Ashley Baxter Read More »
Worms are truly incredible creatures. There’s also a huge amount of them. An acre of good soil can contain up to 3 million earthworms, together moving 18 tonnes of soil a year in their search for food and creating 10 to 15 tons of worm castings. (Source: Teaming with Microbes). They are hugely important for …
Soil, when looked after, works wonders. In fact, after years of abusing soil with tractors, chemicals and artificial fertilisers, we are only just starting to learn how well it works when treated well. Much of that wonder comes down to Mycorrhizae Fungi. Contents What is mycorrhizal fungi? To what extent does Mycorrhizal Fungi benefit plants? …
Manure may smell, but as a source of fertility for your soil, it’s hard to beat. It’s also one of the best compost materials you can use. Despite that, there are problems with manure that you need to be aware of. You’ll also find that different animal manures have different properties, and need to be …
Using Manure in Compost: How to Turn S**t Into Black Gold Read More »
Composting is a fascinating but complex process that involves chemical reactions, bacteria, fungi and multiple organisms. To be clear, you don’t need to understand the science of compost to be able to make compost! You may find, however, that an appreciation of the subtleties does make you a better composter. Contents What is composting? How …
“The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt There was a time when scientists thought agriculture was simple. You added fertilisers, plants used the fertilisers to grow. But the more we study the soil, and the environment, the more we learn about the interconnection between soil, plants and food It’s a fascinating, …
There’s plenty of interest in organic compost – and plenty of shops selling it. But in my research for this article, I’ve found plenty of pitfalls too. The very definition of organic compost is questionable, and not all organic compost is good for the environment. Some gardeners assume that organic compost is also peat-free – …
Think the history of compost is boring? Think again. In this article you’ll find bones stolen from graveyards and battlefields to fertilise Yorkshire fields. You’ll find Egyptians facing death for stealing earthworms and ancient people using blood to fertilise their gardens. You’ll also find some sound principles and solutions that could well help us in …
Compost History: The Fascinating Story of an Ancient Science Read More »
Free Air Space (abbreviated to FAS) refers to the air pockets created in compost piles. In many guides to composting, a huge amount of focus is given the Carbon:Nitrogen ratio. While this plays a role in composting, getting the C:N right is both difficult and less important than you might imagine. In contrast, FAS is …
Free Air Space: The Magic Key to Making Compost? Read More »
My first compost heaps were pretty awful. I used to put everything in a corner of the garden, and then wondered months later why I had a slimy mess. Later on I experimented with regular turning of my compost pile, and decided it was too much work to turn a compost heap every few days. …
Compost Bulking Agent: The Secret Key to Successful Composting Read More »
Finally, your compost is ready. It may well be ready to use straight on the garden. But sometimes you may find you just have too much wood and debris. You can get away with a bit of wood in your compost, but if you have too much you can find it leaches nitrogen from the …
Compost Sifters: Top Picks for 2022 plus DIY Options Read More »
If you’re composting at scale, at some point, you’ll need a reliable compost shredder that’ll cut all your garden waste for you, including the dry twigs and large branches. It’s easier than using a lot of different garden tools, and it’s definitely better than having to deal with a manual compost shredder. At least your …
Your Guide to the Best Compost Shredders in the UK (2022) Read More »
Both gardening and composting are full of controversy. Compost tea is no different. You’ll find experts and scientists that believe compost tea makes no difference to plants – and could even be harmful. You’ll also find other experts that are convinced it can prevent disease and introduce beneficial microbes to your soil. Let’s take a …
Compost Tea: What is it, how to use it and does it work? Read More »
You know compost is good for the soil, but do you know why? Chances are you think it’s about nitrogen and nutrients. That’s correct – compost does slowly release nutrients. However, these nutrients often help in more indirect ways than you might think. One way compost does so is by helping soil structure via the …
Until a couple of years ago, I didn’t even realise you could grow tomato plants from cuttings Then, at the local gardening club, one experienced gardener told me that he would always take cuttings off his tomato plants. As the old ones started to become less productive, he would replace them with new plants from …