Fall is a crucial time for preparing your garden for next year. One of the most effective ways to ensure soil is fertile and ready for new plantings is to amend it by adding compost. But why is it so important and what does this step actually involve?
Adding compost has multiple benefits. On the one hand, compost is rich in organic matter which promotes the growth of beneficial micro-organisms in the soil. These contribute to the decomposition of organic waste, thus releasing essential nutrients for plants. Thus, soil enriched with compost offers better nutrition to your plants, making them more resistant to diseases and pests.
Additionally, compost improves soil structure. By mixing with it, it promotes aeration, water retention and facilitates root development. Forest compost is particularly beneficial for clay soils. Clay, although rich in nutrients, has a very fine and compact structure which can limit the circulation of water and air, thus making the soil heavy and not conducive to root development. Forest compost helps lighten it, providing an ideal environment for the roots. On the other end of the spectrum, manure-based compost , rich in organic matter and nutrients, is ideal for sandy soils, which tend to drain water quickly. It improves water retention and enriches the soil with essential elements.
Amending in the fall is strategic because it allows the compost to gradually integrate into the soil during the winter months. With freeze-thaw cycles, nutrients disperse evenly, ensuring optimal availability in spring when plants begin actively growing.
Fall is also the ideal time to divide or move your perennials. Take the opportunity to give them a good quantity of compost when transplanting.
How much to put?
If you simply want to maintain soil fertility, apply a 1 to 2 inch (2.5 to 5 cm) layer of compost to the surface of your garden or flowerbeds each year. For soils that have never been amended or are particularly poor, consider adding a thicker layer, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches). Then incorporate it to a depth of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) using a fork or cultivator.
In conclusion, adding compost in the fall is not only a recommended step, but an essential one to ensure the health and productivity of your garden. It is the guarantor of living, rich soil ready to support a new growing season.
