table of contents
- When should compost be spread?
- Before application
- Spread compost correctly dosed
- New systems
- vegetables
- Soft fruit
- Trees and shrubs
- Perennials
- race
- frequently asked Questions
Compost is undoubtedly the most valuable and easiest to use organic fertilizer. It supplies plants with all 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 all areas at the right time
- suitable for vegetable and flower beds, perennials, woody plants and lawns
- Apply only on the surface and do not work in deeply
- do not use on bog plants such as rhododendrons, blueberries, hydrangeas and heather
When should compost be spread?
In general, this natural fertilizer can be applied all year round. Starting with the planting over the entire growth period in spring and summer to extensive fertilization in autumn. Both spring and autumn, being the right time, have advantages and disadvantages.
In the spring
| advantages | disadvantage |
|---|---|
| - Composted material can be incorporated fresh - is still full of nutrients - not washed out by precipitation - Nutrient concentration highest in spring - good starter fertilizer for planting |
- Apply very early for early vegetables - as soon as the ground is no longer frozen - Material from thermal composters can contain pathogens - also pests, their eggs and larvae - overwinter in the warm environment of the composter - Fresh compost is stronger than frozen in winter |
In the autumn
| advantages | disadvantage |
|---|---|
| - Compost material can freeze through well after it has been spread - Pathogens, pests and parasites are killed - Frost gives the substrate a finer structure - Frost breaks up coarser substrate components - optimal conditions for growth - Plants are immediately available in spring |
- Nutrients are partially flushed out - more wetness in late autumn and winter - Heavy rain is rather bad for fresh compost - important nutrients are deposited in sinks - can oversaturate soil - Seeds of many competitive plants also germinate in autumn - can thus reduce the nutrient content of the compost |
Tip: Well-rotted biennial compost can be spread anywhere in the garden in autumn.
Before application
Before spreading ripe compost on beds, lawns and other areas, it is advisable to sift it through. This makes it finer, which is particularly important for young plants.
- Depending on the condition, it can also be used unscreened
- for roses, bushes, borders and berry bushes
- to be used for potting soil beforehand dampen
- to kill fungal spores, pests and weed seeds
- Compost material acidic due to excessive amounts of leaves and lawn clippings
- to improve acidic compost with lime
Note: If ashes and / or cat litter has been composted, there is a possibility that the compost material is contaminated with pollutants and pesticides. Then you shouldn't use it on fruit and vegetable patches.
Spread compost correctly dosed
The question of how much compost should actually be spread should always be answered depending on various parameters. For example, is it new planting and what types of plants do I actually want to provide with nutrients?
New systems
- Amount of compost depends on several factors
- z. B. the prevailing site conditions and intended use
- respectively. the nutritional needs of the plants and the nutrient content of the soil
- Apply larger quantities once
- For trees and shrubs, mix the excavated material with up to a third of the ripe compost
- Take into account the nature of the soil when creating entire beds
- 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 the compost material evenly
- then work into the top 10-20 cm
vegetables
How much ripe compost vegetable crops need depends on whether it is weak, medium or Heavy Eater acts.
| Heavy Eater | Potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage | up to 6 liters / m² |
| Central Eater | Strawberries, kohlrabi, spinach, onions, radish | 3 to 5 liters |
| Weak eaters | Peas, beans, radishes, lamb's lettuce, herbs | 2 to 3 liters |
After spreading, the compost only needs to be hooked flat into the top layer of soil.
Soft fruit
In the case of berries such as strawberries, currants, raspberries or gooseberries, two to three liters of ripe compost can be administered in the spring as an annual soil maintenance and fertilization at the same time. It is considered to be approx. five centimeters thick layer only raked in on the surface. In particular between berry bushes you should neither chop nor dig to avoid damaging the roots.
Trees and shrubs
- as an addition to the planting hole
- Mix one part of compost with four parts of excavated material
- Insert a maximum of 20 cm deep
- or work in a three-centimeter-thick layer on the surface
- for soil maintenance and nutrient supply two to three liters / m²
- Administer during the growth phase
Perennials
- Work in five to eight liters / m² for new plantings
- Rake in the loosened soil before planting
- ideally after a rain shower
- Spread out five liters in existing discounts once a year
- annual fertilization in spring
- in the case of heavily consuming species, additional fertilization in summer
- fertilize evergreen perennials in autumn
Note: The few strong eaters among the perennials include phlox, delphinium, coneflower, sunbeam, asters, sunflowers, water feast and steppe candles.
race
- 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 centimeters before fertilizing
- Spread a thin layer of sifted compost
- work in superficially with a rake
- water after fertilizing
frequently asked Questions
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 by another nitrogen source of organic origin.
For fertilization, it can be applied and incorporated in its pure form. It is not advisable to use pure compost to create a new bed. The reason for this is the high nutrient content, which can over-fertilize the plants and thereby damage them. Therefore it should always be mixed with flower, plant or garden soil.
Fresh compost can be harvested after about six months. It matures after ten to twelve months at the earliest. However, the longer it stands, the lower the nutrient content. Therefore, ripe compost should be used quickly.
Of course, that's not a problem. For mulching or Immature, i.e. three to four months old, rotten compost is particularly suitable for covering the ground. The still numerous organic acids contained are only gradually broken down in the further course of the rotting process. One distributes an approx. five centimeters thick layer evenly on the floor. Care should be taken with sensitive crops such as spinach or lettuce as they could be damaged.