Why Compost

Why Compost? “Compost does several things to benefit the soil that synthetic fertilizers cannot do. First, it adds organic matter, which improves the way water interacts with the soil. In sandy soils, compost acts as a sponge to help retain water in the soil that would otherwise drain down below the reach of plant roots (in this way, it protects plants against drought). In clay soils, compost helps to add porosity (tiny holes and passageways) to the soil, making it drain more quickly so that it doesn’t stay waterlogged and doesn’t dry out into a brick like substance.

“Compost also inoculates the soil with vast numbers of beneficial microbes (bacteria, fungi, etc.) and the habitat that the microbes need to live. These microbes are able to extract nutrients from the mineral part of the soil and eventually pass the nutrients on to plants.” (Hooray!)


Gregg Kulma, Environmental Engineer (May 2, 2011), Compost benefits your garden and reduces landfill waste, US Department of Energy Office of Science, 2020 Argonne national Laboratory. https://blogs.anl.gov/greenlab/2011/05/02/compost-benefits-your-garden-and-reduces-landfill-waste