Compost in the Garden

Compost heaps are characteristic of good gardening. When the garden is tidied up in the fall place the coarsest stalks on the ground fully exposed to the weather, making a 3" or 4" layer and filling the chinks with leaves, grass clippings and other small stuff. On this layer place 2" or 3" of good earth. Next place a layer of less coarse material and then a second layer of earth. Continue to alternate the layers until the pile is 4' high. Cover all with earth and hollow out the top so as to hold water. Fill this hollow several times during the summer with enough water to wet the pile to the bottom. By the following fall the pile will make rich soil for potting or for adding as a top dressing to the garden.

Fallen leaves that form thick piles may smother the plants buried beneath them. Remove them to the compost pile at the approaeh of winter and weight them down with earth.

Oak leaves and pine needles make the best mulches for rhododendrons and other acid-loving plants. Gather bagfuls of them when on auto trips.

Useful Resources
Household compost is usually used as a soil conditioner. It helps aggregate soil particles, adds some nutrients, and increases water holding capacity.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0110.html

International Composting Awareness Week
Composting is the intelligent alternative. We can compost to combat climate change and reduce our irrigation needs while we�re at it. Composting is the responsible and sustainable thing to do for our planet.
http://www.compostweek.com.au/

Compost Australia
http://www.compostaustralia.com/