Compost in the Garden

Compost heaps are characteristic of good gardening. When the garden is tidied up in the fall place the  coarsest stalks on the ground fully exposed to the  weather, making a 3" or 4" layer and filling the  chinks with leaves, grass clippings and other small  stuff. On this layer place 2" or 3" of good earth. Next  place a layer of less coarse material and then a second  layer of earth. Continue to alternate the layers until  the pile is 4' high. Cover all with earth and hollow  out the top so as to hold water. Fill this hollow several  times during the summer with enough water to wet the  pile to the bottom. By the following fall the pile will  make rich soil for potting or for adding as a top  dressing to the garden. 

Fallen leaves that form thick piles may smother the plants buried beneath them. Remove them to the  compost pile at the approaeh of winter and weight  them down with earth. 

Oak leaves and pine needles make the best mulches for rhododendrons and other acid-loving  plants. Gather bagfuls of them when on auto trips. 

Copyright Information: Gardening Short Cuts

See also Composting Waste