The Best Reason For Making Your Own Compost
 (Read 100+ times)
By Jonathan Yaakobi
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The argument in favor of consistently adding to the garden soil, organic matter in the form of compost or humus is overwhelming. Most professionals and an increasing number of home gardeners as well, recognize it as an essential part of sound horticultural practice. While compost may not be the cheapest or the most convenient way of supplying nutrients to the plants, a soil containing a high percentage of organic matter, is both healthier and functions as a habitat able to provide better growing conditions for the plants. The question arises then, whether the compost needs to be purchased or made at home?
One reason frequently suggested for going DIY is that it is cheaper than buying commercial products. But is this true? For regular maintenance, (excluding soil upgrading prior to planting) quantities of about 5 liters per square meter should be worked into the soil, twice a year. For a small family garden of say 100-200 meters sq, the required amount is therefore some 1,500 liters a year. As the raw material for a home made compost pile can only come from organic refuse from the kitchen and the garden, it is highly unlikely that enough raw material can be ever be available to break down to such a volume of ready to use compost. Even if sufficient amounts could be produced for very small spaces, the saving would barely amount to some $25 a year. For most home owners this is unlikely to serve as sufficient motivation for going to the trouble of producing home made compost. Why not continue throwing out the refuse and purchasing compost and humus products at the local garden center?
The best reason for not doing so and making ones own compost instead, is that recycling the home and garden waste that can be so recycled, reduces the volume of matter to be deposited in the landfill, while the extra compost needed for the garden can indeed be purchased. It is simply a question of each family doing its little bit for the environment, remembering of course that "a little bit" multiplied millions of times adds up to quite "a big bit". But what has this got to do necessarily with gardening? I am convinced that a responsible gardener is ultimately a better gardener. If we don't care about landfills, then why should those of us in dry climates bother about water conservation? And if wasting this precious resource is unimportant, then why show consideration to the neighbors? Responsibility implies patience humility and sensitivity, the inner qualities essential to achieving long lasting results in the garden. Just look at a magnificent old tree in a public park. What does it tell you about the people who looked after it over the years? Whoever and whatever they were and are, they must have had a least some patience, humility and sensitivity. They must have cared!
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Author Bio Box: Jonathan Yaakobi
 My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.
I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.
I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.
I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.
I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden,
so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com
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