The Magic of Compost

Henry David Thoreau once bleakly declared, “The better part of the man is soon plowed into the soil for compost.” Fortunately, today, composting is a positive, earth-nurturing activity, and farming requires somewhat less human sweat and tears than it did a century ago. What is compost and why is it important?

Anyone can learn how to make compost. Compost comes from decayed manure, plant matter, and most foods. “To compost” is to convert these items into compost. Synonymous with composting is the use of compost bins, or any container that helps organic matter naturally decompose with the right combination of moisture and air. More simply, a compost pile sits in the open air as it goes through the process of decomposition. Time and ideal atmospheric conditions are essential for rich compost.

What Does it Do for You?

Soil tests reveal that compost helps stabilize soil and returns important nutrients to the ground. Composting is also a natural way to dispose of some garbage in a way that benefits the environment. In successful organic gardening, the use of compost helps the plantings and soil yield natural and nutritious produce. Compost makes an ideal organic fertilizer. When used for gardening, compost helps enrich soil, and cuts down on weeds, erosion, and watering.

The physical structure of soil will improve when compost is used. The soil becomes more porous and permeable by gases and water, all conditions that are conducive to growth. The decomposed organic matter in compost also provides more humus for the soil. Humus glues the soil together and helps it absorb water and resist erosion. Research shows as well that compost helps dilute and reduce pollutants, and reduces the occurrence of certain plant diseases, depending on the microorganisms present in the compost. For all these reasons, composting is certainly a worthwhile activity.

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