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This summer I would like to try composting. What kind of composter should I use?
While there are many composters available on the market, few of them meet the basic requirements for effective composting. To get efficient composting you need to have a compost pile about 4 feet wide and tall. Smaller composters will work but they take longer to process your compost.
There are many ways to construct a simple enclosure for your compost. One of the easiest is to simply secure a ring of fencing with ties to form a circle 4-5 feet in diameter.
It is also easy to stack concrete blocks. There is no need for mortar. Often these structures are only three sided for easy access.
Of course, a square bin of wood or a wood frame with wire fencing
attached can also be made without much difficulty. Often more elaborate versions are constructed with two or three bins for easy rotation, turning and use of the compost.
Whether you buy or make one yourself, the important thing is to follow the basic rules for composting. Mix your materials so that you include green material like grass, brown material like dried leaves, and some soil or old compost to provide the bacteria needed. Then keep the pile moist and turn it regularly (stirring weekly is great) for quicker processing.
Compost is commonly referred to as “brown gold.� It is one of the best ways to improve your soil and well worth pursuing.
What can I do to improve the soil in my perennial bed so my plants will do better this year?
Most perennial flowers need good soil to flourish. A loose soil (sandy-loam) is generally best, one with good drainage and lots of organic material, can help your bed to produce an abundance of beautiful plants.
To get good drainage, especially in clay soils, dig in compost at least a foot deep and grade the bed with a slight slope to keep water from pooling. There are many types of ammendments that may be used effectively so check around to see what is available in your community. In rural areas, for example, composted manure is readily found while in urban areas peat moss and other materials are found in all garden centers.
It is a good idea to do a soil test to determine the need for fertilizers or to adjust the ph of the soil. You can get a kit from your local extension office.
While it is easier to work in a new area without plants you can dig in around your plants and slowly improve an existing bed. By working the soil where you are replacing or moving plants you can eventually have a much improved bed.
For more information check out the article, Amending Soils for Perennial Beds, on the University of Minnesota site.
