by Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell
Compost or fertilizer ? What ’s the difference ? Which one should you be using in your one thousand or garden ? Or should you use both ? Everyone who is interested in develop their own industrial plant wants to make a healthy garden surround . To keep plant originate as vigorously as potential , many gardeners consider using compost and fertiliser . Compost is an all - natural organic material to improve the quality and tilth of your dirt , while fertiliser can be either constitutive or chemic , and carry specific element in exact proportion that plants can employ to grow . We ’ll explicate this in point .
Experienced gardeners have no trouble deciding whether they will use compost , fertilizer , or both in their garden . Meanwhile , those of us that are raw to horticulture may have a little bit more worry decide what to use to keep their garden producing at a high level .
In this article we will break down what compost is and what fertilizer is , respectively . We will breach down the commonality and remainder between the two filth additives , and we also discuss the vantage and disadvantages of each .
What Is Compost?
Compost is basically a mixture of decay natural substances , such as animals , vegetables , fruits , leafage , eggshell , chocolate grounds and grasses . The disintegrate substances are then added into the soil to make the land fertile and to boost the filth with great deal of nutritional constituent that plant want to grow and function at their best . Compost and other dirt amendments are not rated with NPK ( like plant food ) . With compost , you are generally trying to make your soil right and healthier overall by impart fertile , organic material that improves the overall wellness and farmland of the soil .
Compost is just one of many soil amendments that alter the soil to improve its strong-arm or chemical dimension . Other soil amendments let in lime , manure , leaf moulding , ground bark , fertilizers , material to transfer water retention levels , clay , gypsum , and more .
Benefits of Compost
The advantage of using compost are as pursue :
Compost sound like a winner for multiple reasons , but using compost in your garden also has its drawback .
Disadvantages of Using
Compost
The disadvantage of using compost are as follows :
What Is Fertilizer?
Fertilizer comes in constitutional and inorganic anatomy . Organic plant food , like manure , compost , or bone meal , are deduce strictly from plant and animal rootage . Inorganic fertilizer are made from mineral , gasses , and inorganic waste materials . Fertilizers made from constituent sources give and enrich the filth . Inorganic , or synthetic fertilizers are fast acting , but can fire and damage plants .
All fertilizer are require by law to use the NPK ratio system to measure the grade of Nitrogen , Phosphorus , and Potassium ( K on periodic chart ) within them . So a fertilizer that is place 12/12/12 has a balanced amount of each nutrient within it . Your soil or plants might be in need of one of the item versus the others , so you may choose a plant food based on what you require . If you ’re spring up something that needs a lot of nitrogen , you ’d need one with a high ratio of it .
Advantages of Using
Fertilizer
The advantages of using fertilizer in the garden are as espouse :
Disadvantages of Using
Fertilizer
There are many more disadvantage to using plant food in the soil than there are disadvantage of using compost . The disadvantages of using plant food are as follows :
Common Traits of Compost and
Fertilizer
Compost and fertilizers can work together really well when used properly . The organic matter in compost parasite up nutrient within plant food and stock them until they are needed by plants . Compost also provide many nutrient that plants need in very small amounts , like boron . you’re able to use fertilizer without using compost buy why lack a chance to increase soil fertility and your soil ’s power to hold moisture . Soil that is ameliorate regularly with compost becomes deep , dark , and crumbly , often require much less plant food than soil that has n’t been on a regular basis address with compost .
Differences Between Compost
and Fertilizer
The well-off way to tell the difference between compost and fertilizer is that compost feeds the soil while fertiliser feeds the plants . Fertilizer summate to the stain ’s nutritive levels . But instead of feeding the stain food web , the constituent in fertilizers are mean to meet the needs of tight - growing industrial plant . Sometimes the amount of compost gardeners are address to sum to the soil is very general , fertilizer applications programme rates are base on the needs of flora . Either constitutional or formal fertilizers work well for veggies , but organic fertilizers have been exhibit to be better for balancing the soil nutrient WWW . Chemical fertiliser can also fertilise compost , but continual use may throw off your soil ’s chemistry and discourage beneficial insects and microbe .
Common Questions and Answers
About Compost and Fertilizer
Are eggshells good for
compost?
you could add crushed or whole eggplants to your compost pile to increase the Ca in the ruined compost . crush the eggshells before adding them to the mickle will help them break down into the compost more quickly .
Can I put bread in
compost?
Stale or moldy bread can be torn into small pieces and add to your compost pile . Be certain to wrench the pile or mix the moolah into it carefully after adding the bit of bread to head off attracting rat , mouse , and other pest to your compost pile . Some types of pelf numeration as greenish compost material ( adding atomic number 7 to compost ) and some count as brown compost material ( add carbon to compost ) ..
Can I put compost in
potted plants?
you’re able to add compost to your potted plant , but they do n’t demand much , and they do n’t need it oft . Add about an inch of compost to the top of the airfoil of your potted plants ’ dirt twice a class for best results . The same rule applies to using compost in windowpane boxes . you could also make a potting soil out of two role screened compost to one part moxie orperlite .
Can I put moldy fruit
in my compost?
Yes , you may use musty yield in compost as long as you get together a few conditions . Put the moldy food in the center of the pile on top of dry brown material ( like sawdust , ashes , chaff , or leaves ) . The reason the position matters is that the center of your compost pile catch hot faster and stay on hot longer than the eternal rest of the pile . Cover the nutrient with material like grass trimming , cornstalks , or shredded paper . Mix the fruit well into the agglomerate by turn it frequently so pestilence are n’t draw to intellectual nourishment sitting on top of the compost pile .
Can I put potting soil
in my compost?
Many gardeners do n’t realize that plants use up the nutrient in potting land after just one class of container gardening . However , you’re able to tote up last year ’s pot territory from your container to your compost pile . Keep in mind that the routine of perlite in your potting soil wo n’t crack down in the compost pile .
Can I put tomatoes in
my compost?
If for some intellect you do n’t require to eat your love apple , you’re able to add them to your compost pile . That enounce , be propose that the seed inside the love apple may germinate next spring inside the wad or wherever the compost is placed . If this happens , you could pull them like weeds or transplant the love apple plants to the right part of your garden . Please note that if your tomato have catching industrial plant diseases , you should only add them to a hot compost pile . If your compost is n’t hot , burn or bury the diseased Lycopersicon esculentum .
Can too much compost
hurt plants?
Although it ’s possible to get too much compost in your garden grease , resulting in an overburden of certain nutrient that ’s bad for works , this does n’t usually bechance . If you ’re worried , though , restrict yourself to one or two inches per foot of loosened soil when you ’re planting a novel bed and half an inch to an column inch each fall on top of existing seam .
Can onions go in
compost?
Cooked and raw onions can be used in compost piles . The only ejection is onions that have dowse up caboodle of fatty or meaty succus , which should n’t be used because they can attract cuss to your compost heap . If you ’re summate in raw onions , you may wish to chop them into halves or quarters to discourage the onion sprouting into new plants . It also takes a good bit of moisture to take off go down a whole raw onion , so coalesce these well into the center of your compost pile .
Can orange peels go in
compost?
Unless your composting approach isvermicomposting , orange Sir Robert Peel are an first-class plus to your compost mass . The orange Robert Peel will bestow phosphorus , nitrogen , and K to the completed compost . To reduce the amount of fourth dimension it takes for orange peels to break down , you may wish to break them into small pieces before adding them to your compost heap .
Can you fill a raised
bed with just compost?
It ’s not a good estimation to fill a raised bed or any are of your garden whole with compost . The best approach is for your garden ’s soil to consist of five pct constitutional material . As a ruler of ovolo , you may append one or two inches of compost per fundament of loosen soil when you ’re creating raw seam , or in the fall , you may spread half an inch to an in of compost on top of existing bed .
Can you keep adding to
a compost pile?
Yes , you’re able to keep adding to your compost pile whenever you have new scraps that will work for it . This style of composting is called stale or inactive composting . This character of composting takes a while to see results . You may take to expect between three and eight months before you have fill out compost you may use . commence with about three column inch of moistened coarse , strawlike cloth , like plant stems , leave , twigs , hay , or stubble , and do your best to tot brownish materials on top of green materials . Your ruined compost that ’s quick to use will be available from the bottom of the bin or pile once it ’s ready .
Can you mix compost and
manure?
You may bring horse , moo-cow , sheep , rabbit , or Gallus gallus manure to your compost concoction , and doing so actually cut back the risk of burning plants with sassy , unadulterated manure . Do not practice manure from humans , dogs , or qat in composting . Composted manure may be used as a mulch for plants once it ’s had time in the heap , bin , or muckle to divulge down . Another option is to till manure into the soil long before bound planting , like in the fall or winter , so it has time to break dance down . Adding manure to your garden ’s soil helps tease apart too - firm , compacted poop and adds wet to sandy soils . Manure also increase the carbon and atomic number 7 available for your plants in the soil as well as frown the risk of runoff or leach nitrates from the soil .
Can you put banana
peels in compost?
Banana peels are an excellent addition to compost . In addition to fall apart down quickly , they ’re full of food to add to your soil , such as Ca , magnesium , orthophosphate , K , sodium , and sulphur . If you want your banana peels to break down even quicker , you’re able to cut them into modest pieces .
Can you put dead plants
in compost?
All kinds of flora material is suitable for compost , including cut dope , leafage , weeds and other horticulture scrap , straw or hay , and dead plant . Only include dust from plants with contagious diseases if you use red-hot composting . Otherwise , this material should be burned or buried . industrial plant material you should not compost let in seed - containing invading weeds , branches , woodwind instrument clod , and anything too boggy .
Can you use too much
organic fertilizer?
Yes , it ’s possible for your plants to o.d. on fertilizer , even when it ’s organic . The resultant of getting too much fertiliser include burn roots , yellowing folio , “ leggy ” or spindly increase , lots of leaf but no fruiting , and increased jeopardy of pest and disease . For skilful result , follow the instructions provided by your plant food ’s manufacturer , or you might decide to sum fertilizer before the spring acquire time of year begins to reduce the risk of burning your flora .
Do you need to
fertilize if you use compost?
Whether you ’ll need to use fertiliser along with your compost bet on what you ’re growing and what your soil is like . The best way to know whether your grunge will be capable to provide the nutrients your plants postulate to thrive with a boost from compost now and then or whether additional plant food is needed is to do a dirt test . Most of the metre , these are available through your local Extension government agency , which you may find by pick out your state from this single-valued function on theNational Pesticide Information Center website .
Does compost need
sunshine?
you may do your compost pot , mickle , or bin up either in the Lord’s Day or in the shade , but be cognisant that letting your compost get mint of sunlight will hurry up the decomposition summons . As the temperature increases , so does the activity of the bacteria and fungi in the compost . If you choose a location in full sun , you may involve to moisten your compost heap on occasion .
How do I add compost to
my garden?
To avoid adding too much compost to your garden at a time , trace this rule of thumb . For new garden beds , contribute one or two inches of compost per groundwork of loosened land . For exist garden bed , contribute half an inch to an column inch of compost in the fall .
How do I apply
fertilizer to my garden?
For results specific to your plant food , you should follow the directions provided by the plant food maker that are printed on the bundle . Most balanced plant food are added every three or four hebdomad during the growing season . constitutive soils may require increased fertilizer , and mud soils may ask fertiliser less often , like every four to six weeks . Because there are so many unlike type of fertilizer , verify to check the pedagogy for dosage and software for the case you ’re using .
How do you know when
compost is ready?
you may tell when your compost is ready just by look at it , smell it , and touching it . When your compost look like fertile , grim filth instead of a bunch of decompose food refuse , it ’s ready to use . You wo n’t be capable to recognise the ingredients making up the compost when it ’s polish off , and finish hot compost does n’t heat up , even when it ’s mixed . Compost that ’s quick to utilise should not find vile to the touch . Depending on the style of composting you ’re using , it will take anywhere from one month to two years to make finished compost . Allowing a few month after your compost looks done for it to “ cure ” serve ensure it ’s chemically static .
How do you mix compost
into soil?
If you ’re digging in an arena to start out a new garden bed , you’re able to add one or two inch of compost per foot of loosen soil . For exist garden seam , open half an inch to an inch of compost over the bottom in the fall .
How long can you keep
compost?
you’re able to keep compost if you intend to use it the undermentioned season . Holding onto your finished compost for longer than that can result in frown nutrition in the compost . To store your compost , you’re able to hatch the big bucks or pot with a tarp or put the finished compost into trash cans with lid or plastic bag . If you choose moldable bags or methamphetamine hydrochloride cans , open them up periodically to give affair a splash and check moisture levels . The bottom will be damper than the top , so pull that bottom bed up to keep things uniform .
How long does it take
for compost to turn into soil?
calculate on the character of compost you ’re doing , it can take anywhere from one calendar month to two long time for the compost to be unadulterated and ready to practice . You sleep together your compost is quick when it looks , smells , and feels like coloured , productive soil . You wo n’t be capable to tell apart its fixings , and if you use raging compost , it will stop heating even when it ’s miscellaneous . Allow it to rest and to cure for a few months after this point to make indisputable it ’s chemically stable . you could zip up the composting cognitive operation by confine your voltaic pile to one cubic yard , turn the cloth once a workweek , and keeping your ratio of carbon to nitrogen around 20 to one . Keeping the big money moist and shredding or chopping the material you add to your compost also take a shit thing molder faster .
How long does it take
for organic fertilizer to work?
It will take micro-organism in the grunge between two and six weeks ( depending on soil temperature and moisture level ) to discontinue down organic fertilizers so the nutrients they hold are available for your works . To ensure you ’re using your fertilizer aright , surveil the instructions the manufacturer has offer . They ’re usually publish on the box seat for your contraption .
How long should
fertilizer be down before it rains?
Let your fertiliser balance on the soil for two daytime before there ’s any pelting forecasted . pelting before this clip can dampen the fertilizer away before it has a fortune to become part of your soil . Also , if it rains mightily after you ’ve applied fertilizer , your fertiliser may bulge out running off into nearby lakes , river , and streams . This disrupts the nearby ecosystem and trim down available O in the water .
How much fertilizer do
I need?
To make certain you do n’t give your plants too much or too little fertilizer , rely on the instructions render by the maker that should be print on the package .
How often should I turn
my compost pile?
Turn an alive , hot compost pile every three days until the compost intercept heating up . Failure to heat even when mixed is a signal that tells you the compost is almost ready . ( Just give it a dyad more week to cure . ) If you do n’t employ red-hot compost , you’re able to descale back to turn your compost once per week .
Is compost a fertilizer
or soil amendment?
A soil amendment is anything you add to your garden grunge to increase its quality and make it well suited for gardening . example of soil amendments include peat moss , Ellen Price Wood chips , husk , manure , grass clippings , gypsum , wood ash tree , vermiculite , and perlite . Sometimes , the amendment you need to utilise for your soil might be fertilizer . A plant food is anything that cater the plants you rise with the nutrients they require to thrive , let in compost . That means that compost is both a fertilizer and a soil amendment .
Is compost good for all
plants?
Compost profit all form of plants , as long as you do n’t give them too much . A expert prescript of thumb is to use one or two inches per foot of loosened stain when you ’re drudge young garden bottom and half an column inch to one column inch over exist beds in the spill .
Should I add worms to
my compost?
There ’s no pauperism for you to add worms to your compost area , though it wo n’t pain to make them in . Most of the time , the worm in your curtilage will find your compost pile on their own . The exception to this principle isvermicomposting , which uses lots of worms that you ’ll take to manage and deal for yourself .
Should I water plants
before fertilizing?
gritty fertilizers should be accompany with great deal of water to foreclose burn your industrial plant . Of course , piddle - soluble fertilizers are applied while you irrigate your flora . There is no want to irrigate plants before feed unless recommended by your plant food manufacturer .
Should you mix compost
with soil?
For best results , your garden land should be made up of about five percent compost . you may either mix the compost into the ground or apply it on top like you would mulch . A good rule is to apply one or two in per foot of loosened poop to the top of a newfangled garden layer and half an inch to one column inch over survive beds each fall .
What foods cannot be
composted?
Foods you should not compost include heart and soul , skin , off-white , dairy products , greasy and fatty or spicy nutrient , sweets , salad with dressing . Unless your stylus is hot compost , you should also not let in horticulture debris or plant affair that has a transmissible disease . Instead , burn or bury this trash . Non - food items that you should not place into your compost down include human or preferred manure , offset and Sir Henry Joseph Wood chunks , ember fire ash , sawdust from process Grant Wood , tea or coffee bean bag ( grounds or leave of absence are OK ) , invasive smoke that have gone to cum , lots of soggy fabric , charge card , metal , glass , shiny or coated paper , wood ash tree , fluxing lime , stickers / label on produce , BBQ fusain , synthetic fertilizer , and anything too heavy to decompose , like heavy composition board .
What is the ratio of
compost to soil?
The ratio of compost to land varies depending on what you ’re farm . For potted plants , use a mixing that ’s 20 to 50 per centum compost . A vegetable garden , however , just needs one or two in per foundation of loosened earth for a Modern seam or , for existing beds , half an inch to an column inch each declivity .
When should fertilizer
be applied to plants?
For instruction specific to the case of fertilizer you ’re using , check into the packaging for guidelines from the manufacturer . dissimilar types of fertilizers will have different dosage and software program line as well as schedules for software .
Want to learn more about the benefits of compost versus fertilizer?
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