You may have heard of compost, and it brings to mind what people can do with some of their food waste. That’s because compost is essentially decomposed organic matter that includes some of that food waste you throw away. It’s that compost and what it is made of that helps nourish the soil and feeds those plants or that lawn.
Compost can be made on a small scale like what people do with the organic aspects of their trash. It’s typically made in a large container. Or, it can be created on a much larger scale. Besides food, compost can also include grass clippings, leaves, hay, seashells, tree bark and twigs, animal manure, and straw.
The compost mixture typically consists of two parts of dry material like leaves to one part wet or green material, such as grass clippings. The mixture is then left to decompose. Air movement is important, but the decomposing compost must also remain evenly moist.
What makes compost so good for the lawn and other landscape is the microorganisms. Millions of microbes deliver the necessary nutrients to the soil to help stimulate plant growth. With all the nutrients, the grass becomes healthier. Just think of it as vitamins for the grass.
To apply compost to a lawn, it needs to be spread with shovels to create a layer across the lawn that is about 1/4″ thick. After a rake can be used to ensure the compost is evenly spread. It is good to apply the compost just after seeding and aerating.
