ENRICHING THE SOIL NATURALLY SINCE 1992
COMPOST & YOUR GARDEN
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. For thousands of years, ecosystems have survived and thrived by self-producing compost from spent plant material. Our professional staff is trained to produce high-quality compost from your plant materials and yard trimmings. Compost contains essential nutrients and microbes that help plants grow by:
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improving the structure, drainage, and water-holding capacity of soil
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encouraging deep-rooting
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helping to suppress plant disease, and promoting healthier growth
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reducing erosion
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reduces waste and combats climate change through recycling outside of landfills
The following seasonal tips can help you realize the tremendous advantages of making compost a part of your garden all year long!
SPRING
Ready a New Garden
An application of compost to freshly-turned earth and last year's landscaping and flower beds in early spring infuses soil with nutrients and microbes that promote plant growth. According to a study by the U.S. Composting Council, existing soils around homes and commercial sites are typically of poor quality due to the practice of soil stripping before construction. The addition of compost improves the physical structure of the soil, which in turn, promotes root development and heightens a plant's resistance to stress. Compost also adds organic matter, beneficial microbes, and vital nutrients, all of which store and maintain soil fertility.
SUMMER
Protecting Plants from Drought and Disease
A summer gardener's greatest foes are drought and disease. Re-apply a layer of mulch or compost to garden beds to ward off pests and reduce water consumption.
A report by the U.S. Composting Council notes that disease incidence on many plants is influenced by the level and type of organic matter and microorganisms present in soils. Research has shown that increased population of microorganisms found in compost may suppress specific plant diseases such as pythium and fusarium as well as nematodes. The same report also states that adding compost to untreated soil provides greater drought resistance and more efficient water utilization - effectively reducing the frequency and intensity of irrigation necessary to help plants survive and thrive under the hot summer sun.
FALL
Amend your garden soil with compost
Compost added to the soil will help rejuvenate summer depleted soils for better spring gardens.
Apply 2 inches of compost to your garden or raised beds and mix it into the first 4-6" of the soil.
Topdress your lawn with compost
Topdressing - long a secret of golf course grounds crews - is the process of applying compost over the surface of a lawn. This annual application of nutrient-rich organic material promotes healthy root structure by:
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infusing soil with beneficial microbes and organic matter
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increasing soil aeration
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improving drought resistance, and
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lessening soil compaction.
For weekend lawn warriors looking to achieve country-club quality growth, here's a step-by-step guide to top dressing this fall.
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Core aerate the lawn, concentrating on the most heavily trafficked sections.
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Spread grass seed.
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Apply a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer of compost, using a topdressing unit or manure spreader. Lightly rake, making sure all seeds are covered with the soil/compost layer to guard against winter damage.
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Water as needed until grass blades are 2-3" high, keeping the soil moist until seeds germinate.
WINTER
Garden Prep & Planning
When winter's bitter chill sets in, consider creating a garden plan for next spring.
The "January Thaw" is perfect for pruning over grown shrubs and trees. Stop by
Kansas City Composting to dispose of yard trimmings and pick up a bag or two of
compost any time of year.
WORKING TOWARDS A GREENER WORLD
Whether your goal is to have the best lawn on the block, win a blue ribbon for the most glorious head of broccoli or to be a good steward of Mother Earth, compost can help!
Compost and World Peace
The Nobel Committee awarded its 2007 Peace Prize to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore for their efforts to counteract man-made climate change. Why were environmentalists given the Peace Prize? The Nobel Committee stated that global climate change, fueled by increasing levels of greenhouse gasses, was likely to lead to greater competition for the earth’s resources and “increased danger of violent conflicts.”
Landfills – A Surprising Source of Environmental Danger
Landfill management practices adopted in the last 25 years are producing increasingly higher levels of carbon dioxide and methane gasses, the two main contributors to ozone depletion. While all of us know that carpooling or biking can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so does composting by diverting organic materials from landfills where they decompose and produce methane gas.
Kansas City Composting advances all four “Rs” of “Green Living” – reduce, reuse, recycle and re-buy.
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Reduce – Each bag of lawn clippings brought to our facility reduces the amount of solid waste in area landfills.
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Reuse – All of the wood material we collect is re-used and made into mulch products.
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Recycle – Compost is the archetypical recycled product. All material entering the process exits as a usable product.
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Re-buy – When you purchase from Kansas City Composting, you support Green industry and show your commitment to good stewardship of the earth’s natural resources.
By simply separating organic materials (yard trimmings, food residuals) from other household waste, Americans can annually reduce the amount of solid waste we produce by 24 percent. The result: a proportionate reduction in greenhouse gas production.
For tips on how you can compost at home, please visit our resources page by CLICKING HERE.