There’s a particular compost to soil ratio needed on vegetable gardens depending on the period and type of soil. In this article, you’ll be enlightened on it.
Compost functions as an organic soil enhancer and modifies the soil structure by providing the nutrients needed for optimal growth. Although various types of soil demand varying amounts of compost, all soils will benefit.
Compost To Soil Ratio On Different Types Of Soil
The following are compost to soil ratios on different types of soil.
Clay soil compacts quickly, necessitating the addition of compost to improve structure and drainage. For the soil ratio, compost can be added in 3-4 inches (7.5-10cm). Learn more about the amount of composting you need to add to clay soil.
Sandy Compost helps to maintain moisture in the soil, which dries up quickly. For the soil ratio, 3-4 inches (7.5-10cm) of compost can be added.
The soil structure in loam soil is acceptable. For the soil ratio, 1 inch (2.5cm) of compost can be added.
Read also: Can you compost weeds?
Types Of Compost for vegetables garden
The following are types of compost you can add to the soil.
Homemade Compost
Compost elements – carbon and nitrogen – from kitchen and garden trash are used to make homemade compost. This organic compost is simple to create and frequently includes worm castings.
Mushroom compost
This is a slow-release organic compost and a superb soil additive made from leftover compost from mushroom producers.
Composted manure
Chicken, horse, or cow manure, for example, must be well decomposed and weed-free.
Peat moss
Acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries can benefit from peat moss. To assess the pH of your soil, perform a soil test. As mulch, use acidic pine needles or oak leaves.
Green manure
Green manure is a type of organic fertilizer. To increase the humus content of the soil, plant a cover crop. The crop is either dug into the soil or cut and left to rot.
Compost To Soil Ratio for Vegetable Garden
The following are different compost soil ratios on a different vegetable garden.
Add Compost To A New Garden Bed
If the soil is heavy clay and sandy, spread 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10cm) of compost and incorporate it into the garden soil at a spade depth. After tilling, leave the bed for two weeks to let the nutrients settle into the disturbed soil. It is not essential to dig into loam soil.
Read also: Can I Put Compost On Top Of Soil?
Adding Compost To New Raised Bed for vegetables garden
In raised garden beds, always make sure the completed compost is free of weed seeds. Combine 30% completed compost with 60% topsoil or current soil and 10% perlite/vermiculite in the soil mix.
After the first growing season, cover the surface of the raised bed soil with 1 inch (2.5cm) of compost. The compost does not need to be completely decomposed because it will continue to decompose on the top.
Composting On Flower Beds that Have Been Established
To avoid disturbing the roots of the established flower bed, apply a layer of 1 inch (2.5cm) compost to the surface as a mulch. Plant development will be aided by the addition of compost in the coming season.
Conclusion
I hope this guide gives excellent information on how to supplement your vegetable garden with compost. Let me know if you have any questions. Also, learn how to make liquid fertilizer from kitchen waste.
Further Reading
- Effect of applying different ratios of compost made of municipal solid waste on the growth of Zea mays L. (Corn), ACADEMIC JOURNAL
- Interactive effects of compost and pre-planting soil moisture on plant biomass, nutrition and formation of mycorrhizas: a context dependent response, NCBI
- Determination of the optimum mixture ratio and nutrient contents of broccoli wastes, wheat straw and manure for composting, , ResearchGate
