There is much disagreement about the best time to apply the mature substrate. Compost has been spread in the fall for many generations. But the compost can also be used in the spring. Both times have their advantages and disadvantages.
Compost is applied in spring or autumn
fall
In autumn the leaves fall from the trees. They form a natural protective layer for the soil, which is full of dead plant parts. The material rots over the winter and offers the newly germinating plants a nutrient-rich substrate in the spring. You can use this cycle as a guide when spreading compost.
benefits
Over the winter, the compost freezes on the soil, killing parasites and pathogens. The frost breaks up coarser substrate components and the compost is fine and crumbly in spring. This soil is directly available to the plants for the coming growing season.
disadvantage
Rainfall in fall and winter can leach nutrients from the compost substrate when the soil can no longer absorb the water. The substances are deposited in depressions and oversaturate the soil. In autumn many seeds of competitive plants try to germinate. Even in winter, plants continue to grow near the bed. These seedlings and plants use the nutrients and minimize the nutrient content of the soil.
spring
Spring is a sub-optimal time to apply compost. Despite the pros, the cons outweigh the cons and you need to till the soil before application to get an ideal substrate.
benefits
The concentration of nutrients is highest when applied in spring because they have not been washed away by rainfall or consumed by other plants. Direct incorporation in the spring ensures that the area is evenly supplied with compost.
disadvantage
The consistency of the fresh soil is firmer. Compost soil from thermal composters can contain many pathogens and pests that have overwintered in the warm environment. These unwanted organisms are spread onto the bed with the substrate. If you want to sow early vegetables, you need to apply the compost early in the year. This increases the risk of nutrient leaching when it rains heavily.
How to improve the substrate:
- Turn over compost in dry weather
- Sieve and loosen the compost
- let the sieved substrate dry in a bin