Where to Use Compost in The Landscape

Previously, I explained how to make compost.  In that article I highlighted why compost is so good for the soil by feeding the microbes, improving the soil structure, and allowing moisture to move through the soil. So now I would like to show the many way to incorporate compost into the landscape.

Three yards of compost from landscape supplier

Add compost to a new garden bed.  The spring is a great time to add some gardening space to the landscape.  Many cool, rainy days will aid in the process.  Removing turf is the hardest part. Using a flat head spade will skim the sod from the soil. 

Test the shape and size of a new bed 

Several steps to visualize the new space in the landscape.  What will it be used for, and how is the plan moving forward to a landscape that is usable.  Creating the bed once size and shape are determined is next.

Using landscape paint, this homeowner outlined the desired garden bed.  This will give a visual of size and shape.  This exercise using paint or even a garden hose to outline an area can easily be changed.  The cutout is harder to change if it does not look acceptable. 

Create new garden

Add compost as a planting base for new garden

This raised bed will be a great vegetable garden and there are uses for compost here as well. 

Another way to build a garden bed on sod or other planted area, is to lay down cardboard or newsprint on top of the grass.  This layer needs to be thick - about 6-8 sheets of newspaper will successfully suffocate weeds and grass.  I have done this several places in my garden.  The digging is eliminated, and rolling up sod is unnecessary.

Use newspapers smother grass

Skip scraping sod to make new bed

At this time, I cover the paper with a 4" - 6" layer of compost.  The paper will decompose, and the area can be planted in as little as eight weeks.  The compost enhances the planting area, and plants will take off well.

Top dress planting bed with compost

Add compost to planting holes when installing new perennials, shrubs, and trees.  The nutrients will be available to the roots slowly and steadily.  And the compost will allow water and oxygen to move freely at the roots. 

Amend soil with compost

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Add compost to planting hole

Rake Compost through grass for rejuvenation of a lawn

  Compost raked into an established lawn can rejuvenate a tired area. Compost can help break up compacted soil, and allows water to be better absorbed.  The nutrition that compost offers is secondary only to the benefits it gives the soil and the microbes that are in it.



Compost is an additive I like to add to containers.  Potting soil can be supplemented with compost - or mixed with peat moss and perlite to make a homemade potting soil more economically.

Perlite particles in a soil mix allows air spaces to form where oxygen and water have free movement.

Perlite

Peat moss

Compost added to container as growing mix.

Whether making home compost or purchasing compost from a landscape supplier, compost is one of the best soil amendments.  By building the soil with compost, a new garden bed, or the lawn, or the containers sitting on patio will benefit from the organic material.

Soil Health - the Cornerstone of Life

Beginner Gardeners have come to my attention.  Many do not know where to begin, but they know they want to begin. A friend bought a few acres with the plans to 'garden'.  She also is raising chickens.  While I was reducing our garden beds, I potted up extra plants and gave them to her.  But the focus has been on the plants, and I'd be amiss if I do not give her some other information that will make a world of difference in her new garden.

That information is how, and why the soil is so critical to, not only her garden, but to the environment, and, as far as that goes, the planet. Here is why.

Millions, and billions of microorganisms reside in healthy soil.  The eat organic material, and the enzymes they excrete allow the roots of plants to take up nutrients as needed.  The problem I see as an organic gardener is the media blitzes proclaiming the praises of chemical fertilizers (Specifically, liquid fertilizers). Advertisers do not tell of the harmful effects on the soil.  Chemicals kill microbes and leaves the soil dead. Synthetic fertilizers will feed the roots of plants while it is liquid. However, the soil cannot retain nutrients, so more and more applications of synthetic fertilizers are needed to keep lawns or gardens growing. No amount of chemicals can make up for the benefits of good organic material re-introduced into the soil.

Soil structure that is less than optimal can prohibit roots from taking up moisture and nutrients. Also,sandy soil is so porous that water runs through it rapidly.  So fast that roots have minimal time to take advantage of the moisture.  Clay soils, on the other hand, are so dense, that air and water cannot get down into the roots, thereby suffocating them.

By adding compost to sandy soil, moisture is slowly moved through enabling roots to stay moist longer.  Compost added to clay soil open up the pores and allows air and water to move through the soil.  The diagram above indicates that air and water are vital to good soil, and as little as 5% organic matter can make a weak soil into a healthy base.

The term 'friable' may be used in this instance.  Making the soil crumble-able.  Good organic soil will do this easily.

Nature has a way of building rich organic soil.  The forest is a good example of allowing debris such as leaves, bark, and microbes to return to the earth as organic matter.  This decomposing is Nature at her best. Mimicking Nature is the best way to return to a way of living that many have forsaken.

Adding compost to the lawn and garden will go a long way to reestablishing the balance that nature intended.

Healthy soil improves water-holding capacity reducing runoff of surface water and drawing moisture down. 

These roots indicate that air and water are deep into the soil making for a more robust plant.

Organic soil can maximize plant growth by giving the microorganisms in the soil food.  They decompose the organic matter and return available nutrients to the plants.  Plants thrive and provide food, lodging, and oxygen to the world above.

The message I've tried to convey today is that we need to feed the soil, not the plant.  Healthy soil will take care of the plant's needs IF we take care of the soil. 

10 Money $aving Ideas for the Landscape

Nothing takes the fun out of a project than spending too much money and the end result got lost along the way.  Landscape projects can quickly get out of hand in costs and size.  Realistic plans that are doable are more likely not to break the bank. 

1) This is the planning part of the project.  Collect pictures of outdoor spaces that may work in your landscape.  Many times a professional landscape designer can actually save your money.

A design plan by a professional may have an upfront expense, but avoiding a costly do-over down the road is worth this added step.  Occasionally, I have had customers come to the garden center with photos of a space they are thinking of improving in their yard.  This is a great way to get an idea of plant sizes, colors, and costs.  Suggestions on plant spacing and maturity sizes can eliminate some experiences like these.



2) Realistic projects also help spread out the cost of an entire landscape





project over several seasons. Do-it-yourself projects may seem like a good option, but many mistakes and trips to the home improvement store can end up costing us in time and money.  Hiring  professionals for irrigation, or cement work is a good investment. Electrical outlets done wrong are annoying at best, and dangerous if done wrong.
 

3)  Sowing seeds instead of buying plants is another money saving step.  Certainly by starting seeds in small starter pots ahead of  sowing them outdoors can be easily done in a sunny windowsill. Direct seeding in beds can generate dozens of plants in a short period of time.
 


4)  Buying plants in small sizes can save money over buying larger potted sizes.  A quart perennial is cheaper than a gallon perennial.  Growers can charge less for the smaller quart sizes because they have less material used in the process.  Less soil, less containers, -  and more  smaller containers can be shipped, reducing fuel cost for transportation.


5)  In a similar thought, purchasing perennials rather than flats of annuals can save money.  The very fact that annuals need to be replaced ‘annually’ is the key.  And a border of perennials can be just as colorful when bloom times are staggered, and plants with colorful foliage are chosen. 



6) Perennials are plants that live at least three seasons.  Most live much longer.  As the second or third season comes around, perennials are easily divided, offering the landscape a new plant with no cost. I recently divided Hosta, 'Lime Delight'.  One clump gave me six root sections that I have spread around the garden to fill in black spaces.  Now that’s saving money!





I have picked up plants on the cheap at Garden Club plant sales, garage sales, and plant association sales like the Miami Valley Hosta Society is having Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Buying plants in this manner gives a chance to talk to the folks who grew the plant in your area.
 


7)  Compost is another great way to save money in the landscape.  No fertilizer bags to lug home from the store with that plastic packaging to dispose of in the trash.  Compost provides great organic material with no fuel cost to bring it to your home, no processing costs at a manufacturing facility, and  no chemicals to harm the soil, or leach into waterways.

At $3 per bag for trash haulers to remove grass clippings, it seems more economical to use a mulch mower and let grass clipping stay in the lawn.  This added organic matter is the same as one application of fertilizer – at not cost to the homeowner.


8)  Less lawn can save money too.  If we can save on gasoline to mow, less water used to keep lawns green, and less herbicides and insecticides are needed, money savings can definitely add up.


9)  Native plants, whether perennials, shrubs, or trees can save money long term in the landscape.  Native plants do not need to be babied with added fertilizer, excessive water, or pesticides.  Once established, native plants are quite pretty, and easy on the budget.



10)  One last tip on saving money in the landscape is to plan to purchase trees, shrubs, and perennials in the ‘off season’.  Many bargains can be found at garden centers and through landscapers in the fall and early winter.  Many of these folks do not want to store the plant material over the winter and are willing to offer great deals to the public.  As long as the ground is not frozen solid, trees and shrubs can be planted into winter.  Perennials may need time to get established before really cold temperatures arrive, so plan to pick perennials up in late summer and early fall to allow roots to take hold for best results. 
Planning landscape projects can save money.  Costly mistakes occur when we start a project that is too big and too complicated.
Consider what we bring in in terms of cost – soils, mulches, plants, cost of transportation, maintenance equipment needed.



Then be diligent in what the landscape produces as yard waste and disposal of leaves. Recycle yard debris and eliminate fuel costs of having it hauled away, and gain the added benefit of great organic material for the next seasons to come.

What thrifty practices do you incorporate in your landscape? 

10 Steps - Greener, Healthier Lawns

 
Thanks to Philip Brown for guest posting today. - Claudia, Gardening Naturally

About the Author: Philip Brown considers himself a lawn care enthusiast. A loyal employee of Trugreen for close to 12 years, Philip now spends his time sharing what he knows with others. When he’s not blogging about lawn management and lawn care, you can find him tending to his own front yard down in Loganville, Georgia . Contact Philip at  http://thelawnenthusiast.blogspot.com/. 
 
For many homeowners, including myself, there is a real sense of pride and satisfaction that comes with maintaining a thick and beautiful green lawn. But managing a lawn can sometimes place a significant burden on our environment, especially when we overuse different chemicals and don’t stop to think about what the grass on our particular lawn really needs. So how can we go about “greening” our lawn care? Here are 10 steps to get you started.

1. Pick the Right Grass
Make sure you’re planting the right seed for your environment. While the region where you live will determine the type of grass that you need, there are a number of other things to consider in deciding on what variety of seed you want to use. Think about the amount of sunlight versus shade your lawn gets. Also think about foot traffic. Different varieties of grass are better suited to different levels of each. Choosing the right grass for your particular lawn will enable it to more effectively and naturally fight off diseases and pests without the need for chemicals.
2. Test Your Soil
Perhaps the most important step to take in using fertilizer is to test your soil first. Soil testing kits can be bought very cheaply and will tell you exactly what your specific soil needs. Once you know which nutrients are lacking and which nutrients are not, you can make a more informed decision about what variety of fertilizer you actually need for your lawn and you won’t be pumping excess nutrients into the environment.
3. Fertilize Organically
Organic fertilizers lead to healthier soil. They provide a variety of other beneficial nutrients that you simply won’t get with synthetic fertilizers. They also administer nutrients to your grass in a slower, more natural fashion, delivering only what your grass needs when it needs it. And with organic, you’re also avoiding all those unlisted and potentially harmful ingredients (like heavy metals) that are sometimes found in the synthetic alternatives.
4. Don’t Over-Fertilize
Many homeowners are conditioned to think they need to fertilize their lawns 3 to 4 times a year. They also have a tendency to apply excess amounts of fertilizer each time, leading to increased runoff and nutrient pollution in our watersheds. But do our lawns really need all these nutrients? The truth is that they don’t. Especially when you’re using organic fertilizers, a couple applications per year should be just the right amount.
5. Use Compost
Regular composting is one of the best natural ways for adding essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and many others to your soil. It is also good from a biological standpoint, adding organic matter to your soil that facilitates the growth of green, healthy grass.
6. Conserve Water
Your lawn doesn’t need as much water as you think. In fact, watering less often is actually good for your lawn, encouraging your grass to grow deeper roots and become stronger and more drought-resistant. A good rule of thumb is ensuring your lawn gets about 1 inch a week. When you water your lawn, do it early in the morning when the air is cooler so that you don’t lose water to evaporation. You’ll also find that applying compost will help the soil to retain water, meaning better absorption by your grass and less runoff.
7. Get Rid of the Gas Mower
Few people realize the extent of gas mower pollution. Emissions are worst during the summertime, when lawn mowers contribute a whopping 10% of all air pollution in the US. But don’t fret! There are some great alternatives – take reel lawn mowers for instance, which are powered by your own two feet. Other alternatives include solar-powered mowers (if you’re willing to shell out quite a bit of money) and plug-in electric mowers. But the reel mower is the all-around winner: carbon neutral, economical, and it even helps you stay in shape.
8. Leave the Clippings Behind
Use a mulching mower to add valuable nutrients from grass clippings right back into your soil. With all this organic matter and nitrogen that you’re reinvesting in your lawn, you won’t need to worry as much about fertilizing.
9. Find an Alternative to Pesticide
It is well-documented that pesticide-use can be a serious hazard to the environment. Many pesticides already exist at levels high enough to kill or cause defects among birds, fish, and other aquatic organisms. Finding alternatives to pesticides is therefore a wonderful way to go green with your lawn. One of the best natural ways for fighting pests is to introduce other insects that will feed on them: beneficial nematodes and ladybugs are great examples of good insects that will help you control pests on your lawn.
10. Ditch the Weedkiller - Grow a Thicker Lawn Instead
The best approach for fighting weeds is very simple: grow a thicker lawn. This will effectively crowd out the weeds so they have no room to grow. You can achieve a thicker lawn by overseeding, that is, by spreading seeds over the grass you already have. So try it out. A great time to do it is in the fall, or even now in the spring if your lawn is particularly thin.
You’ll find that with the right mindset and with a little bit of commitment, taking a green approach to lawn care can be a very rewarding experience. Give some of these steps a try and I’m sure you’ll soon agree. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with everyone and best of luck!

Outdoor Spaces–Important to Homeowners

Homeowners are making outdoor spaces more and more livable.  The health and wellness of the family is the important factor driving  the homeowner’s decisions on all types of purchases.  Today’s Garden Center Magazine has determined that even though the number of backyard vegetable gardens has dropped since 2011, 53% of homeowners still grow some vegetables or fruit. The majority of homeowners are extending the ‘natural’ products they will be seeking this year.

Young families and seniors are well aware of the dangers of chemicals on their food, and in their yards. According to Garden Writers Association Foundation (GWAF),  nearly twice as many gardeners plan to skip the chemicals and purchase organic products. 
Although 62% of those in the survey were somewhat concerned with the environment, but about one-fourth of those folks were also somewhat concerned with pest control.
 
When pest intrude on the outdoor space, the enjoyment of that space is compromised.  That concern drives buyers to seek ‘insect and disease resistant’ plant material.  Many growers are stepping up with new cultivars that speak to this issue. From roses and Monarda, to Lungwort and phlox, the disease resistance of powdery mildew and blackspot  is bred into many plants.  And investing in quality plants that will be less fussy and more durable has the gardener interested. Plant growers and landscape professionals all want the same thing – a satisfied customer.



The organic garden is becoming more user friendly, and plant breeders are responding with new plants.  However, native plants, whether perennials, shrubs, or trees, have an inherited resistance to insects and diseases. Using native plants, the gardener can reduce fungicides, insecticides, and water usage.

 
Another garden practice to lower use of chemicals is to plant plants in the right place.  If a full sun plant gets 6 – 8 hours of sun, it is less likely to suffer and weaken the plant making it susceptible to diseases and insects. By the same token, plants that require moist, shade will not do well in a sunny border that dries out regularly. Do not plant too densely, for air needs to circulate around plants to reduce molds and fungus growth. These considerations are key when the gardener wants to reduce maintenance in the garden and yet have a outdoor space that is pleasant and beautiful.

 

Although Native plants do not need extra nutrients added to the beds, the modern, savvy gardener knows that the soil is the key to healthy plants. Many ornamentals do need soil that is rich in nutrients, and drains well.  Adding organic material to the soil is realized in the form of compost, natural mulch, and organic fertilizers.
  


These applications of compost and mulch need only to be applied once a season.  The nutrients breaks down slowing and evenly, eliminating start and stop, irregular growth that can lead to leggy, weak plants.  And the mulch will greatly reduce weed seeds from germinating, reducing the use of herbicides. No weekly weed pulling, and reducing the number of fertilizer applications a year opens up more free time.
 
Reducing the maintenance in the garden opens up leisure time that can be spent in the extended outdoor space.  The health and wellness of relaxing is important to many. And who doesn’t like to relax, at lease a little.? 

Health and Wellness is a trend that is well worth the buyers consideration.  The value of plants outweighs the high maintenance of more finicky ones. Read labels and pick the brains of garden center associates, as they will be able to point you to those plants that will be a valuable part of your outdoor space. As a garden coach, I can give my local gardeners a working plan for a low maintenance garden that is beautiful.  Folks in SW Ohio, can email me at clynn493@aol.com, or clynn493@gmail.com.