USING COMPOST WISELY

What do I do with all this good compost I've made? Compost is a valuable amendment that improves soil structure. It increases air and water circulation within the soil. Compost loosens clay soils and improves the moisture holding ability of sandy soils. Adding compost prolongs nutrient supply by holding nutrients in reserve for gradual uptake by the plants. Although it adds small amounts of a wide range of nutrients, compost is not usually used exclusively as a complete fertilizer; but rather a complement that increases the effectiveness of fertilizer.

• Work 2 to 4 inches of compost into your garden in the fall. During the growing season use compost as top dressing or side dressing in the garden or the flower bed. For established trees and shrubs work 1 to 2 inches into the soil within the dripline. Add about one inch to your container plants twice a year.
• Compost, especially not quite finished compost, makes a great mulch.
• Compost can be added to seed starter medium, transplant medium, and potting soil. However, don't use compost as backfill when transplanting a tree or shrub.
• Lastly, don't forget compost tea as a foliar spray and as a watering supplement.

Don Davis, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service

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