- When to spread compost?
- Before deployment
- Apply compost in the right amount
- frequently asked Questions
Compost is undoubtedly the most valuable and easiest to use organic fertilizer. It supplies plants with all the important nutrients and also improves the soil structure. But how do you use it correctly? This must be taken into account when spreading compost.
In a nutshell
- Compost is an excellent organic fertilizer
- can be applied to almost any surface at the right time
- Suitable for vegetable and flower beds, perennials, shrubs and lawns
- only apply to the surface and do not work in deeply
- Do not use on ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, blueberries, hydrangeas and heather
When to spread compost?
In general, this natural fertilizer can be applied all year round. Beginning with the planting over the entire growth period in spring and summer up to an extensive fertilization in autumn. Both spring and autumn as the right time have advantages and disadvantages.
In the spring
| benefits | disadvantage |
|---|---|
| - Composted material can be incorporated fresh - is still full of nutrients - not washed out by precipitation - Nutrient concentration highest in spring - good starting fertilizer for planting | - Spread very early for early vegetables - as soon as the ground is no longer frozen - Material from thermal composters may contain pathogens - also pests, their eggs and larvae - overwinter in the warm environment of the composter - Fresh compost soil is firmer than frozen ones in winter |
Even if compost can in principle be spread all year round, there are still a few things to consider.
In the autumn
| benefits | disadvantage |
|---|---|
| - Compost material can freeze well after spreading - Pathogens, pests and parasites are killed - Frost gives the substrate a finer structure - Frost breaks up coarser substrate components - optimal conditions for growth - is immediately available to plants in spring | - Nutrients are partially flushed out - more wet in late autumn and winter - Heavy rain rather bad for fresh compost - Important nutrients are deposited in depressions - can oversaturate soil - Seeds of many competitive plants also germinate in autumn - can thus reduce the nutrient content of the compost soil |
Tip: Well-rotted biennial compost soil can be applied anywhere in the garden in the fall.
Before deployment
Before spreading ripe compost on beds, lawns and other surfaces, it is advisable to sift it. This makes it more finely crumbly, which is particularly important for young plants.
- Depending on the composition, it can also be used unsifted
- for roses, shrubs, borders and berry bushes
- Steam before use for potting soil
- to kill fungal spores, pests and seeds of weeds
- Compost material acidic due to excessive amounts of leaves and lawn clippings
- improve overly acidic compost with lime
Before spreading, the compost should be thoroughly sieved.
Notice: If ash and/or cat litter has been composted, there is a chance that the compost material is contaminated with pollutants and pesticides. Then you should not use it on fruit and vegetable beds.
Apply compost in the right amount
The question of how much compost you should actually spread should always be answered depending on various parameters. For example, are they new plantings and what types of plants do I actually want to supply with nutrients?
new installations
- Amounts of compost depend on several factors
- e.g. the prevailing site conditions and intended use
- or the nutrient requirements of the plants and the nutrient content of the soil
- apply large quantities once
- in the case of trees and shrubs, mix the excavation with up to a third of ripe compost
- When planting entire beds, take soil conditions into account
- Sandy soils with up to 25 liters of compost per square meter
- on clay soils up to 45 liters
- on clay soils up to 35 liters
- Distribute compost material evenly
- then work into the top 10-20 cm
vegetables
How much mature compost vegetable cultures need depends on whether they are weak, medium or heavy consumers.
Vegetable patch
| heavy feeder | Potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage | up to 6 litres/m² |
| medium eater | Strawberries, kohlrabi, spinach, onions, radishes | 3 to 5 liters |
| weak feeder | Peas, beans, radishes, lamb's lettuce, herbs | 2 to 3 liters |
After spreading, the compost only needs to be raked flat into the top layer of soil.
soft fruit
In the case of soft fruit such as strawberries, currants, raspberries or gooseberries, two to three liters of ripe compost can be applied in spring before they sprout as annual soil care and simultaneous fertilization. It is only superficially raked in as a layer about five centimeters thick. You should neither chop nor dig up between berry bushes in particular, so as not to damage the roots.
shrubs and shrubs
- as an addition to the planting hole
- Mix one part compost with four parts excavation
- bring in a maximum of 20 cm deep
- or three centimeters thick layer worked in superficially
- for soil care and nutrient supply two to three liters/m²
- administered during the growth phase
In the case of trees and shrubs, compost should never be added to the planting hole in its pure form, but always mixed.
perennials
- Work in five to eight liters/m² for new plantings
- rake into the loosened soil before planting
- ideally after a rain shower
- spread five liters across the board in existing discounts once a year
- annual fertilization in spring
- additional fertilization in summer for heavy-feeding species
- Fertilize evergreen perennials in the fall
Notice: Phlox, larkspur, coneflowers, coneflowers, asters, sunflowers, water daffodils and steppe candles are among the few heavy-duty perennials.
lawn
- about one to two liters of compost per square meter
- first fertilization in March or April
- for ornamental and play lawns, intermediate fertilization in June/July
- last fertilization before winter
- Mow the lawn to four inches before fertilizing
- apply a thin layer of sifted compost
- Work in superficially with a rake
- water after fertilizing
In order to achieve the ideal effect, lawn must be cut short before applying compost.
frequently asked Questions
Can mature compost be used together with mineral fertilizers?The simultaneous use of compost and mineral fertilizers usually results in over-fertilization. If the nitrogen content in the compost is too low, it should be supplemented with another nitrogen source of organic origin.
Why not use it pure?For fertilizing it can be applied pure and worked in. Using pure compost to create a new bed is not advisable. The reason for this is the high nutrient content, which can over-fertilize and damage the plants. It should therefore always be mixed with soil for flowers, plants or gardens.
When is compost mature?Fresh compost can be harvested after about six months. It is mature after ten to twelve months at the earliest. However, the nutrient content decreases the longer it stands. Therefore, mature compost should be used quickly.
Can I also mulch with compost?Of course, that's no problem. Unripe, i.e. three to four month old, rotted compost is particularly suitable for mulching or for covering the ground. The organic acids that are still present in large numbers are only gradually broken down as the composting progresses. Spread a layer about five centimeters thick evenly on the floor. Care should be taken with sensitive crops such as spinach or lettuce, as they could be damaged.