compost

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Organic Fertilizing: Healthy Soils = Healthy Plants

healthy-soil-organic-composting

Question From a Gardener: I’m an organic gardener in the western Rocky Mountains and realize that all mountain gardens are lacking nitrogen. I would rather not use chemical fertilizers and wonder how to solve this dilemma using organic fertilizing. What’s the best way to do this? Answer: You’re correct in your assessment of Rocky Mountain soils. They are rich in minerals because so much of our soil started out as rocks which are composed of minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. But our soils are also the remains of the sedimentations left from the mountain building periods of volcanoes and earthquakes. These sedimentations are devoid of organic materials and nitrogen...

Compost Compost Compost!

green waste container full of rosebush cuttings

Why Compost is Important and How to Create Your Own Compost The three most important words in real estate are; “location, location, location” but in gardening they are; “compost, compost, compost.” Compost or mulch is organic material that can change the poor western soils that will not grow much of anything to excellent soil. Compost helps release minerals that are tightly locked into the fine particles that make up clay soil. Compost added to sandy soil will provide moisture holding elements so water and nutrients won’t drain quickly through the sand. Compost with its organic origins will cool the soil to help perennials get through drought and summer heat. Compost...