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 […]
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 »
Update: The company has come a long way since this interview! You can learn more about how the device works and how to use it in 7 Ways to Use Compost Technology to Speed Up Your Compost. There’s no point in aiming for total accuracy when it comes to composting. Unless you are a commercial
Monty Compost Monitoring Technology: Interview with CEO Ashley Baxter Read More »
When I dig into my compost and find thousands of worms wriggling around, my heart leaps with joy. That’s because worms carry many benefits for the compost heap, helping with everything from aeration to removing pathogens – and adding nutrient-rich worm castings. Meanwhile, adding that finished compost to the soil encourages other worms, which in
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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? Mycorrhizae fungi is a family of fungus that
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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
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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
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After months or even years, your homemade compost is ready. It’s matured, darkened and gained a fresh earthy smell. Now it’s time to use it – and what a lot of uses there are for it! In fact, the many uses of compost all around the garden mean that even the keenest of gardeners usually
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Have you ever bought live pot herbs from the store? Usually they look great, but after a week or two they start getting problems. First the plant droops, then the leaves turn yellow, and then the plant dies. I used to think that this was just because they were forced. But then I learnt that
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