Why Compost?
Gardeners have used compost for centuries.
Composting is an efficient method of breaking down
organic materials into an end product that is
beneficial to soil and plants. Adding yard and garden
wastes directly to the soil without first composting
them has some undesirable effects. For example, if
large quantities of uncomposted leaves are
incorporated into the soil, the microbes that work to decompose the leaves will compete with plant roots for soil nitrogen. This competition can result in nitrogen deficiency and poor plant growth. Increased populations of the microbes can also deplete most of the organic matter in the soil, leaving the soil with less
structure than before. When materials such as leaves and grass clippings are composted, however, a microbial process converts them to a more usable organic material.
Adding composted material reduces the competition
for nitrogen. Composted material is also much easier
to handle and mix with soil than uncomposted
material because of its finer texture. Furthermore,
improvement of the soil’s physical properties such
as increased infiltration, better drainage, and greater
water holding capacity usually occurs more
rapidly when composted materials are added