Home Garden Organic Compost and Mulch

Garden compost and garden mulch are two of a gardener's best friends. They are beneficial for strong and healthy plants. They significantly increase the productivity of your garden. Their long lasting benefits saves you  time and effort in in many ways, in all types of gardens. There are many forms of compost and mulch. Some are organic, while others are artificial.

Be a soil saver..... start organic home garden composting today. Throw away, or drastically reduce, chemical fertilizers. You can help save the environment, and save money while doing so. Did you Know? Mushroom compost is a highly valued soil amendment. Do you know what mushroom compost is made of? You might be surprised.

What's the Difference between Compost and Mulch?

What is Compost? Garden compost is comprised of decayed, organic plant waste materials. It's nutrient rich composition, acts as a natural, healthy, organic fertilizer for your plants. "Composting" is the process where organic plant matter rots and decays. The material breaks down through the natural process of decomposition. Composting occurs over a period of time, aided by a combination of bacteria, air, worms, heat, and water.

Compost is made from organic matter. It can include weeds, grass clippings, hay, seaweed, garden waste, kitchen scraps, tree leaves, sawdust, or branches, to name a few.

Composting refers to the process of rotting or decomposing plant matter. It can also refer to animal manure, which is also composted. Manure almost always includes a mixture of straw, sawdust or other bedding material, along with nutrient rich animal manure. More on composting manure.

Mulches can be organic such as compost, wood chips, grass clippings, pine needles, or hay. Or, they can be inorganic such as black plastic, newspaper, or even aluminum foil. The benefit of organic mulch, is that it also enriches the soil. Inorganic mulches provide no benefit to the composition of your garden soil. Some inorganic mulches, like plastic, can be harmful, leaching chemicals into your garden soil.

Composting Tips: If you recently sprayed or applied chemicals to your lawn, do not use the grass clippings in composting . Those nasty chemicals are not organic. You definitely do not want it in your vegetable garden.