If you’re a fan of the environment and efficiency, you’ll love composting. Compost is a nutrient storehouse created by recycled food and other organic biodegradable matter. Healthy compost can feed landscape and garden beds all season long. Plus, it also increases soil water-retention, which is one of the tenets of water-wise landscaping in Colorado.
Can you tell that Lifescape Colorado is a fan of composting? Soon you will be too! Here are five great reasons to compost.
Composting prevents drought. In our arid climate, drought is always an issue. This is one of the reasons why Lifescape Colorado advocates for planting native, drought-resistant plants. Your water-wise landscape will benefit from composting because it forms healthy soil clusters that work like sponges to soak and store water that roots can tap into for longer periods of time.
Boost your soil’s nutrient content. Your plants need vitamins and minerals just like you do. However, their only nutrient source is the soil their roots are planted in. As food scraps from your kitchen and other organic matter (leaves, livestock manure, etc.) break down, they form a nutrient-rich stew. (Note: If you’re not careful, your compost may do more harm than good. Only pesticide/herbicide-free materials should be composted). When this stew is mixed with the soil in your plant beds, plant roots have a way to tap into the nutrients they need.
Natural plant protector. Because compost-rich soil creates such healthy plants, you’ll find your landscape becomes more impervious to pests and diseases.
It can cleanup tainted soil. If you moved into a home where the previous owner used harmful pesticides and fertilizers, a healthy dose of compost may be just what the soil doctor orders. Compost has been shown to treat semivolatile and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bind heavy metals and has even been known to eliminate pesticides and wood preservatives. All of this is good for the soil and great for our environment.
Long-term environmental benefits. In addition to cleaning up the soil, composting reduces the amount of garbage you send to the landfills, which also saves on fuel and transportation costs.
Interested in learning more about composting and water-wise landscaping? Contact Lifescape Colorado for more information today.