Seasonal composting is key to maintaining a thriving garden all year round. Applying compost at the right time and in the right way can enhance soil fertility, promote healthy plant growth, and prepare your garden for changing weather conditions.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for applying compost throughout the seasons, ensuring that your garden remains lush and productive from spring through winter.
Spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate your garden after the long winter months. As plants begin to wake from dormancy, adding a layer of compost can provide them with the nutrients they need to thrive. Here’s how to make the most of compost in the spring:
Refresh Soil: Before planting new seeds or transplants, work compost into the top few inches of your soil. This will improve soil structure, boost fertility, and encourage robust root development.
Compost Tea: For an extra nutrient boost, apply compost tea to your garden beds. This liquid fertiliser is packed with beneficial microorganisms that help plants absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Summer can be challenging for your garden, with high temperatures and potential drought conditions. Compost plays a vital role in maintaining soil moisture and reducing plant stress.
Mulching with Compost: Spread a thin layer of compost over your garden beds to act as a mulch. This helps retain moisture, keeping your plants hydrated and reducing the need for frequent watering.
Top Dressing: Apply compost as a top dressing across your lawn. This provides your lawn with the optimal balance of nutrients and organic matter needed through the hotter summer months. Have a read of our blog How To Top Dress Your Lawn for more information.
Autumn is a critical time to prepare your garden for the cold months ahead. Applying compost now can help your plants survive winter and emerge strong in spring.
Post-Harvest Composting: After harvesting your summer crops, add a generous layer of compost to your garden beds. This will replenish the nutrients lost during the growing season and improve soil structure for next year.
Winter Cover Crops: Consider planting winter cover crops, such as clover or rye, and work compost into the soil before sowing. This practice enriches the soil and prevents erosion during the winter months.
While winter gardening may be minimal, it’s an excellent time to prepare your garden beds for the spring.
Compost Blanketing: Apply a thick layer of compost over dormant beds to protect the soil from erosion and leaching. As the compost breaks down over winter, it will enrich the soil with organic matter, readying it for spring planting.
Seasonal composting is essential for a thriving garden. Whether you’re refreshing garden beds in spring or protecting them in winter, compost is the key to year-round gardening success.
As the winter season approaches, many gardeners may be wondering how to best care for their garden soil and plants during the colder months.
As the winter season approaches, many gardeners may be wondering how to best care for their garden soil and plants during the colder months.
When it comes to creating safe, beautiful, and sustainable playgrounds, the choice of ground cover plays a vital role.
When it comes to creating safe, beautiful, and sustainable playgrounds, the choice of ground cover plays a vital role.
As we seek to live more sustainably and reduce our carbon footprints, it’s important to consider the impact of our gardening practices.
As we seek to live more sustainably and reduce our carbon footprints, it’s important to consider the impact of our gardening practices.
September is a crucial month for gardeners preparing their beds for the winter months ahead and mulching does just that.
September is a crucial month for gardeners preparing their beds for the winter months ahead and mulching does just that.
