post. Soil is a planting medium; compost is a soil amendment. For most plants a mixture of 80% soil and 20% compost works well.
The results of applying compost are simple: compost helps create healthy soil, which helps spur healthy roots, which helps grow healthy plants! At the same time the benefits of compost are quite complex and nearly endless. Key highlights of compost application include that it:
• Adds organic material and nutrients to soil
• Enhances the water holding capacity of soil
• Increases the biological activity in soil • Reduces erosion and water run-off
• Loosens clay soils for better root development
• Retains moisture in sandy soils so plants need less water
• Reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides
Now that you are inspired to splice compost into your natural life to either eliminate bad or boost good, try the follow- ing tips:
For gardens, apply a 1 inch – 3 inch
layer of compost and mix into the top several inches of your existing soil.
For lawns, spread a thin layer of finely screened compost, up to a depth of 1/4-1/2 inches, just covering the surface.
The fall is a wonderful time to apply compost because it has the winter season to settle down into the soil during rainy and snowy months. Come spring, your land- scape’s roots will be ready to grow. Now get out there and give your garden a natural boost.
Meredith Sorensen is the Director of Communication for Harvest, a company creating a more sustainable future by turning organic materials into locally consumed products that
are good for the environment. Harvest New England provides top quality soils, mulches and custom blends in Connecticut in our Fairfield, Farmington, Ellington, and Walling- ford locations, and can be found at http://
www.harvestpower.com/ne. See ad on page 30.
Make a Wish Enjoy Life. Allergy Free
Advanced Allergy Relief
www.aarct.com 203.239.3400
North Haven & West Hartford, CT
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www.NaturalNutmeg.com 17
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