Organic waste is generated in every garden. Grass clippings are one of them. Instead of throwing it away, use it forgrass compostThe resultinggrass fertilizeris cheap and ecological. It can be used for most garden plants, it perfectly improves the soil structure. How can I make grass compost successful? What rules should be followed? Seehow to make grass compostand what you can use it for.
Mowed grass is an excellent material for grass compost. The resulting grass fertilizer is cheap, ecological and has many uses in the garden.
Compost is one of the best and cheapest organic fertilizers used in horticulture. As an excellent source of humus and nutrients, it improves soil properties, which in turn contributes to the proper development of plants. Additionally, it maintains the favorable structure of the substrate. The ingredients are released gradually, thanks to which we will not expose the plants to over-fertilization. It can be used without restrictions.
Mowed grassis an ideal compost product. The possibility of its frequent obtaining by mowing additionally has a positive effect on the condition of the lawn itself. Frequent mowing compacts the turf and helps to combat weeds. In high season, it is worth mowing the grass every week, but not too short. A suitable length of grass is 5-10 cm.How to make grass compost?
We start producinggrass compostby preparing a composter. It should be located on the side of the garden, in a shaded place, sheltered from the wind, preferably under a cover of vegetation.This will ensure less loss of moisture in the compost. It is important to locate it on a permeable substrate, allowing excess water to be released freely. You can buy ready-made composters in garden stores or build your own. Wooden poles and a wire mesh will suffice.
The lower part of the compostershould be easy to remove - in the end we take the finished compost from here. We do not sink the pile into the ground. Lay a layer of branches or straw on the bottom - thus creating good air circulation, and a mesh on top. On the bottom of the composter prepared in this way, you can place mowed grass and other plant material for composting.
Lay the layers of organic matter alternately - wet and dry. Wet is freshly cut grass, weeds (without seeds), and dry is straw, shredded, cut branches. The ingredients of the dry layer loosen the composted material, preventing it from rotting.Compost from grass alonehas an unpleasant odor and becomes greasy.It is impermeable to air when spread over the ground. It is therefore advantageous to compost it with other plant debris. Remember that the grass clippings that are to be used for composting should not be sprayed with herbicides beforehand.
Good to knowMowed fresh grass intended for composting, first dry it for 2-3 days, spreading it, for example, next to the composter. It will then lose excess moisture and reduce its volume.
The rate of decomposition of matter depends on the volume, type of waste, and air and water access. The maturation of the pile takes an average of a year. This process can be accelerated by using composting accelerator products. Their main aim is to supply the fresh compost mass with natural microorganisms, thanks to which the development of undesirable compounds is limited, while at the same time rapidly transforming the waste. We will obtain fertilizer from grass faster by additionally shredding the waste and throwing the pile.After the first season, select the entire ready-madegrass compost , then turn the remaining material over with a rake to aerate it, successively throw it into the composter.
Grass compost - it is a good idea to throw grass into the composter, which is already slightly dried.
Remember to place the layers of grass with looser material organic,
and regularly overturn the composted material.
Remember to keep the appropriate humidity in the composter. If the pile is too wet, add drainage material by alternating layers of hay, leaves and twigs. If ourgrass compostis very dry, we need to provide it with water.
It is also important to keep warm in winter. During this period, the casing layer should be much thicker, straw or leaves can be used for this. In this way, we will maintain the appropriate temperature in the heap and the changes taking place in it for a longer time.
To sum up - achieving a quick effect ofgrass compostingis ensured by: airing the layers, maintaining the appropriate humidity of the pile, mixing the composted mass.
Grass Compost - What You Can Use
The resultinggrass compostis an extremely valuable organic fertilizer beneficial for plants and helping to maintain soil fertility. It should have a dark color and a characteristic earthy smell. It can be used throughout the growing season, from spring to autumn. We can use it after a few months or even several years.
At the beginning of the growing season, when the soil is thawing,use grass compost to enrich the substrateSpread a 3 cm layer of grass compost, gently mixing it with the soil (without damaging the plant roots). Grass fertilizer can also be used as mulch. It can be used, among others, for vegetables and fruit plants. In turn, by digging the soil with compost in the fall, we improve its properties.Dig the soil for the future cultivation to the depth of the spade, turning the lump by 180 ° and leaving it in a sharp furrow.
Readygrass compostcan be used in the cultivation of ornamental plants that do not require an acidic soil reaction, e.g. maples, beeches, cotoneaster, privet, euonymus, annual and biennial plants, perennials. It will also find its application in the cultivation of vegetables and fruit plants. It will work well when feeding plants in the period of intensive development, as well as during planting or transplanting.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
