A lot goes into growing plants to their full potential. Through every stage of the growing process, you have to make decisions that can either help or hurt your plants. One of those choices is what compost you will use. There are many different types of compost, and each one has its unique properties and benefits. It is important to understand the different kinds of compost and how they can help you. So to aid you in making this decision, this article will list the best types of compost to use in your garden.
Contents
Manure
Manure compost consists of animal manure. This type of compost is high in nitrogen, a crucial element that plants require to flourish. It also promotes strong root growth and water retention, making it a great compost to use when starting seedlings. The only downside of this type of compost is the potential for burning plant roots if too much nitrogen is present. Manure compost may also cause your plants to grow at an abnormally fast rate, leading to early blooming. Of all the different types of composts, this is one of the riskiest because it has the potential to hurt your plants rather than help them. However, it can also be incredibly beneficial if you use it properly.
Bat Guano
Bat guano is another type of compost containing high amounts of nitrogen, making it a great organic fertilizer for your plants. It also promotes strong root growth and stimulates plant development, which effectively stimulates the growth of plants and flowers when growing from seeds. The only downside to this compost is that you will need a lot of it because one scoop of guano isn’t very effective. However, the risk of hurting your plants with bat guano is low because it isn’t as concentrated as other organic fertilizers.
Seaweed Compost
Seaweed compost is incredibly beneficial to plants because it strengthens the cell walls of plants which helps them resist insects and diseases, along with promoting strong root growth. It also stimulates plant development which helps your plants get to the flowering stage faster, resulting in more blooms for you to enjoy. The only downside of this type of compost is that it can attract slugs and snails if they are in the area because seaweed holds a lot of moisture. As long as you are using the proper pest control, you should not have too many issues.
Sphagnum Peat Moss
Peat moss is one of the most popular composts that gardeners use to help them grow healthy, beautiful plants. The main reason for this is that it is incredibly absorbent. It can hold up to 10 times its own weight in water, making it great for watering your plants if the weather isn’t favorable or you have a problem with your irrigation system. However, sphagnum peat moss is not the best option for plants in colder climates because it tends to cause hardiness zones to drop if you use too much. It also contains high levels of carbon which isn’t very beneficial when you are gardening organically.
Pine Bark
Pine bark is known for its ability to hold water very well. It is comparable to sphagnum peat moss because it absorbs four times its weight in water. The great thing about this type of compost is that it doesn’t break down over time as most organic materials do, which means all the nutrients are still in the compost when you go to use it. Pine bark also has a high pH level which is excellent for alkaline soils but can be harmful to acidic soil because it causes the soil acidity to become too high and damage your plants.
Vermicompost
Vermicompost is great for improving the quality of your soil because it contains high levels of nutrients, fiber, and microorganisms. It is known as one of the best types of compost to use if you want to build healthy soil that promotes plant growth. The major downside of vermicompost is that not all plants will benefit from it. Some plants may grow slower than usual or die if too much vermicompost is used as a soil amendment. However, many types of plants will benefit significantly from vermicomposts, such as leafy vegetables and herbs.
Mushroom Compost
If you want to learn how to make your garden healthier and happier with less effort, using mushroom compost as a soil amendment is the way to go. The main reason for this is that it doesn’t contain any weed seeds or plant diseases which means you don’t have to worry about them infesting your plants. You also don’t have to worry about the nutrients in the compost being depleted over time because mushroom compost is one of the few types of compost that will get better with age.
Vegan Compost
If you are looking for all-natural compost that complements plants perfectly, vegan compost is an exceptional choice. It contains recycled plant materials that release nutrients at different rates, making it great because you can add it to the garden beds whenever necessary. Since this type of compost consists of plant wastes, there isn’t a chance of it containing weed seeds or diseases that can harm your plants.
Coffee Ground Compost
Most people think that coffee grounds are just good for compost heaps, but they are fantastic as a soil amendment or compost. They contain lots of nitrogen which is great if you have plants that require large amounts of nitrogen in the soil to grow healthy and look their best. Coffee ground compost also contains magnesium which can help your plants fight off different kinds of diseases and stay green for longer. The only downside to coffee grounds is that plants can absorb a lot of it, resulting in plants taking up too much nitrogen, so your plants may look sickly as the nitrogen level rises excessively high.
Conclusion
The best types of compost to use in your garden are those that contain a high level of nutrients and microorganisms. It is also wise to choose an organic material. Especially one that doesn’t break down over time, ensuring all the nutrients will be released for your plants to use when they need it most. It is also wise to choose compost with a neutral pH level if you garden with plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
