Soil is a living, breathing biomass that has organic matter as its base of life. Generally, the lower the organic matter, the less the availability of existing nutrients. It is a fact that soil becomes depleted of important nutrients after years of farming or gardening.
Adding compost to soil helps plants to grow stronger because it provides a better environment for plants to grow. It increases the organic matter and microbial activity as well as changing the physical structure of the soil.
The proper use of compost can improve water management because it increases the holding capacity of the soil, which means better water absorption and retention. More moisture in soil prevents erosion because plant and root structures flourish, keeping soils from washing away. It also increases nutrient efficiency and makes it easier to work the soil.
Compost is readily available at your local nursery, home and garden stores and at larger local composting facilities. However, for the environmentally conscious, you can compost in your own backyard. Composting is relatively easy for the home gardener, is good for the environment, saves water, and reduces waste. The California Integrated Waste Management Board’s composting site contains a wealth of information to get you started on any scale, from container gardening on a patio to producing fruits and vegetables for your family year around. Another good source of "how to" information for the home composter can be found at www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/composting/. Good luck!
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