Adding fertilizer to compost

QUESTION: Can I add fertilizer to my compost pile? ANSWER: Yes, and doing so can be beneficial for your compost if you don't add too much. Adding fertilizer and minerals to your compost pile allows the organisms in your compost to work their best and helps them produce healthy soil.

Do I need to add fertilizer to compost?
How much fertilizer do you put in compost?
What can I add to my compost pile to speed it up?
What is a good compost activator?
Can too much compost hurt plants?
Can I add fertilizer to my compost pile?
Does compost turn into soil?
Should I mix compost with soil?
Can I plant directly in compost?
What will make compost break down faster?
How often should I turn compost?
How can I make compost at home fast?

Do I need to add fertilizer to compost?

You may be thinking that with compost, fertilizer isn't necessary. ... As we said before, compost is what's known as a "soil amendment." Fertilizer is different from compost in that fertilizer adds nutrients directly into your soil.

How much fertilizer do you put in compost?

Although adding grass clippings or other materials that have been treated with herbicides may cause concern, most pesticides break down quickly in a compost pile. If garden fertilizers such as 12-12-12 are used as a nitrogen source, use about 1 cup per 25 square feet of the top surface of each layer.

What can I add to my compost pile to speed it up?

Nitrogen-rich materials include kitchen scraps, fresh prunings from your garden, alfalfa hay, grass clippings and seaweed. You can boost a compost pile with Super Hot, an organic activator make of nitrogen and hungry micro-organisms.

What is a good compost activator?

"Natural" Activators

Suitable greens will have a high nitrogen value and be 'easy' for the composting microbes to breakdown. The “natural” activators include: Green Plants, e.g. comfrey, clover, grass clippings, nettles, or alfalfa.

Can too much compost hurt plants?

The slow release of nutrients from compost helps grow healthy plants. But compost that is not matured correctly might harm or even kill your plants. And, using too much compost can smother and kill plants.

Can I add fertilizer to my compost pile?

Does compost turn into soil?

Compost does not become soil, but it does become an important ingredient in healthy soil. Compost is classified as active soil organic matter because it is still decomposing. As compost decomposes, it turns into stable soil organic matter, which can survive in the soil for decades.

Should I mix compost with soil?

Mixing compost with soil provides nutrients for plants today but also enhances soil for future years. The amendment naturally breaks down, releasing important macro- and micronutrients while feeding the beneficial biological organisms in the soil. It also increases the porosity of the soil and helps conserve moisture.

Can I plant directly in compost?

Growing plants in pure compost can cause problems with water retention and stability as well. ... So while it may be tempting, planting in pure compost is not a good idea. That's not to say you shouldn't plant in compost at all. Just an inch or two of good compost mixed with your existing topsoil is all your plants need.

What will make compost break down faster?

Turning the pile frequently allows more oxygen to the microorganisms that are creating your compost, which in turn accelerates decomposition. Aerating it every couple of days will create compost faster than aerating it weekly. Water the pile in dry weather to keep it damp, but not soggy.

How often should I turn compost?

By turning more frequently (about every 2-4 weeks), you will produce compost more quickly. Waiting at least two weeks allows the center of the pile to heat up and promotes maximum bacterial activity. The average composter turns the pile every 4-5 weeks.

How can I make compost at home fast?

Getting Compost to Break Down Quickly

Shred as much yard debris as possible and keep kitchen scraps no larger than an inch (2.5 cm.) in diameter. Speaking of size, in a compost pile situation, the material will decompose much faster in a large pile at least 3 square feet (approximately .