by Matt Gibson Compost and soil are not the same thing — and using the wrong one (or the wrong ratio) can actually hurt your plants. Gardeners often use the terms interchangeably, but they serve very different roles. Compost is a soil amendment: something you add to soil to … [Read more...]
Will mushroom compost burn plants?
QUESTION: Will mushroom compost burn plants? I saw some at the garden center and was thinking of trying it out in my garden this year. - Ursula E GARDENING CHANNEL REPLIES: Yes, mushroom compost can definitely burn plants. To understand why this occurs, you must first … [Read more...]
Compost vs. Peat Moss: When Do You Use Each One?
by Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell Peat moss and compost are two all-natural soil amendments that are commonly used by modern gardeners to adjust the physical structure of the soil and to help improve fertility and increase nutrient levels. Each of these soil amendments … [Read more...]
Compost vs. Mulch: What’s the Difference?
by Matt Gibson Compost is organic matter, everything from leaves to kitchen scraps, that has been decomposed. Mulch is a layer of organic materials that gardeners place over the top layer of their soil as a protective cover. There are many different types of mulch, and … [Read more...]
How to Use Compost
Compost is also known as black gold due to its value in the garden. It is commonly known that compost can be used as a soil conditioner by being dug into the soil. Compost adds valuable nutrients and microbes to the soil but can only be dug in as finished compost, or that which … [Read more...]