Hello!
Today we’ve been clearing out an old glasshouse and preparing beds for our aubergines, chillis and pepper. Nice to get out of the rain! We used two types of compost on the beds and noticed some big differences between them!
The first type we used was our own compost that was made up of old crops and manky vegetables, which was left to decompose for a year. As we spread it over the beds it teemed with life- worms, ants, woodlice, and most excitingly loads of millipedes and centipedes. These apex predators are a great sign for gardeners, as they indicate you have a super healthy food web in your soils. Having a big diversity of critters in your compost injects your soil with life, which helps with natural nutrient cycling!
The second compost we used was a soil conditioner made from commercial green waste. In comparison to our home made batch, this compost was a sterilized, lifeless desert. But it still serves a great purpose as a mulch to stop the pesky weeds. And because it’s really woody it provides a slow release nitrogen supply, so our beds will benefit from it over time.
If you want to find out more about the wonderful world of compost join us for our next composting short course on the 26th May here at School Farm. You’ll find out how to make perfect compost and get a lovely lunch of soup and salad.
