Compost is a structure in which countless living things occur. They ensure the breakdown of plant waste and produce a nutrient-rich substrate. If you use the compost in the garden, you need to pay attention to its stage of maturity.
Compost is an excellent fertilizer
Use fresh compost
The not yet fully mature fresh or mulch compost can be used after three to four months. It is used for floor care, as it has a large proportion of non-rotting material. This semi-decomposed substrate has a diverse bottom fauna. Countless bacteria, yeasts, beetles, worms, isopods and mites live in it. This structure needs oxygen so that the organisms do not die and can continue to convert the material. The substrate should not come into contact with roots, as this will quickly lead to rot.
Spread the fresh compost on the ground. In this way you supply your beds with soil organisms and the unrotted parts of the plant lie on the earth like a protective layer, so that the living beings are protected from cold temperatures. Slightly hook the compost to mix it with the bed soil. Fall foliage is suitable as an additional protective layer against cold, heat and rain.
apply ripening compost
The mature compost contains fewer visible soil organisms such as earthworms, since the decomposition processes are far advanced and only a small part of woody plant remains is present. Invisible microorganisms continue to live in the substrate, which require oxygen for their activity. Be careful not to completely undermine this substrate, as the organisms will die in the absence of air.
This is what ripening compost does in the bed:
- Fertilization by flushing out nutrients
- Inoculation of the garden soil with soil organisms
- Improvement of air circulation and water balance
So that the soil does not freeze in winter and the soil organisms can continue to work, you should mulch the bed. The following spring you will find a bed with finely crumbly substrate, which you can work into the soil before planting.
Work in stale compost
Compost that has been stored for more than a year is ideal as fertilizer. The soil creatures have withdrawn from this substrate. Bacteria and yeast die off. The substrate becomes more solid and mineralized. You can use this compost as fertilizer that is buried in the ground. Fill the planting holes and seed grooves with the substrate to give the plants an ideal start to the growing season.