It may look like trash to some, but this is fertility. This is loose crumbly soil that was once clay. This is organic matter. Fall leaves and twigs. Ill lay them on the lawn, roll over it with the mower a few times, rake it into a pile, wet it and wait. As fall goes on, Ill add kitchen waste, such as coffee grounds, vegetable peels, egg shells, soured milk--just about anything but grease or meat. I like to bury the more unsightly additions deep in the pile. If Im lucky, Ill happen across some grass clippings to add to the pile. Grass clippings really speed up the composting process. With some concerted effort, I could have finished compost by planting time next spring. If I go the less laborious route, I could let nature take its course and take my bounty a little later. Remember that twigs and leaves can take a long time to break down. Weve all seen last years leaves blown into a forgotten corner still intact. Twigs and stems are full of cellulose and lignins and seem to never break down. Its important to shred them. Its these brown ingredients that break down in to humus and persist in the soil. Your green ingredients facilitate the composting process. A good compost from varied ingredients is the best soil amendment you can add to Lawtons clay soil. It wont work overnight, or even in one season, but regular additions of copious amounts of compost will help make your garden great.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:04:08 +0000
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