A garden filled with healthy soil and flourishing plants. It can improve crop growth and provide environmental benefits by improving soil tilth and the soils capacity to absorb Dan M. Sullivan, Linda Brewer | Organic soil amendments, such as wood chips, improve the structure and aeration of the soil; adding these amendments to your soil also allows you to recycle organic waste. There are many good reasons to use seaweed in your garden. As leaves decompose, you can dig them into the soil and add a new layer of mulch. Before you buy compost, ask whether the compost contains any heavy metals, such as lead, and whether the compost is safe to use in a vegetable garden. At the end of the growing season, fold grass clippings into your soil. Hello, I am a home gardener that recently set up a simple three-sided compost bin made out of wood pallets. Their dense root structures prevent erosion, insulate soil, and reduce evaporation. You can also add peat moss, coco coir, or vermiculite to your soil to help improve moisture retention. When you use mulch, you dont have to water, weed, or aerate your garden and flower beds as frequently, and you dont have to worry about your plant roots heaving out of the soil due to repeated freezing and thawing. Organic mulch is fantastic for your lawn, and it doesnt have to cost a cent. Shred leaves with a mower or shredder, but dont shred too finely: Small leaf particles wont allow water to penetrate. A bulk compost supplier will save you a lot of money compared to bagged compost if you need more than a couple of bags. Kristena LaMar | Dont worry about pine needles permanently acidifying your soil. Check the invasive status of the ground cover you want: Some grow a bit too well in certain states. Pelleted for easy application. If youre creating your own compost, avoid tossing in meat; bones; foods with a high fat content (like cheese, salad dressings, or oils); diseased plants; tough weeds; or animal waste. If I understand properly, 2% is the target range of organic matter in the soil. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10044"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"