In Brief: The Benefits Of Using Compost
According to soil experts, once soil has lost its fertile state, it will be difficult to restore the fertility unless certain specific methods are adopted. That is where compost comes in. Luckily, compost is rich with nutrients and minerals that replenish the soil and provide your plants with the compounds they need to thrive. Here we will look at a few of the many benefits of using compost in your garden.
Although various methods of adding nutrients to the soil exist, some are not environmentally friendly, as they destroy the microorganisms found in soil.
In this article, you are going to learn some of the fundamental benefits that are produced by soil organisms and decomposers.
One of the safest soil restoration methods encouraged by experts is the addition of compost. The term “compost” is derived from Latin, and it means “putting together”.
By composting, we add microorganisms, worms, humus, and arthropods into the soil, thus enriching it with nutrients that rejuvenate the soil.
Contents
Why Choose Compost?
With the sun’s energy, carbon dioxide found in air, and the minerals and nutrients obtained from the soil and water, plants are able to grow.
When these plants die, they undergo decomposition, which is a series of decay cycles aided by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, worms, insects, and mites.
The humus that remains after decomposition has occurred enriches the soil with biomatter that enables it to retain its nutrients and water, thus making it easy for farmers to till.
Here is a video with a few great reasons to choose compost for your garden:
Establishment Of Quality Compost
To establish quality compost, there are some important factors that you have to consider. These include carbon to nitrogen ratio, size of the particles, temperature of the surrounding environment, moisture, and aeration.
The Benefits
Below is a list of the benefits that are produced by composting both the soil and the food produced.
Reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases
Research has shown that if people compost a bigger portion of their organic waste, the emissions of greenhouse gases like methane will reduce drastically. This improves the quality of air in the atmosphere.
Prevents garden pests
Compost helps keep pests that are harmful to crops away and reduces the dependence on chemical pesticides, which are also harmful.
Encourages biodiversity
Composting attracts different types of bacteria, worms, birds, insects, and fungi, which are beneficial to the growing process of crops.
Cost-effective
Both at home and in the office, people are charged for trash disposal services. These charges depend on the amount of trash we want to get rid of – the larger the amount of trash, the more you pay.
Composting utilizes waste materials, thus saving you money, as you’ll have little waste to dispose of.
Reduces soil erosion
By improving the soil’s structure, compost increases the water-retaining capacity of soil, thus making it difficult for the soil particles to be eroded.
Neutralizes the soil
Excessive use of fertilizers can make the soil too basic or acidic to support plant growth. By adding compost, you’ll be able to regulate acidity and alkalinity levels in the soil.
Creates soil that is rich in nutrients
Composting improves soil quality because it floods the soil with micronutrients and organic materials.
Summary
Soil is something that is essential for the survival of all animals on the planet because plants would be nonexistent without it.
Therefore, it is important that we promote activities that keep our soil healthy.