As an advocate of organic kitchen gardening, especially to fulfill the daily food requirements of my family, I always try to reuse and recycle. The goal is to grow our own herbs, fruits and vegetables with minimal or no expenditure. This helps in navigating the current economic pressures while enjoying a healthy and engaging hobby, one which may also entice others to adopt gardening as a pastime.

There is a common misconception that it takes a lot of resources to grow plants and trees. In many of my articles, I always advise using a certain kind of fertiliser for different phases of plant growth. While planting seeds, and even before that process, one of the best nutrient-filled compositions that could be added to the soil to improve its quality is compost.

But is it necessary to always go to the plant stores or nurseries to fetch a bag of compost? In this article, and other upcoming ones, I will tell you all about compost, including its usage, benefits, different types, methods of preparation and how it can be easily prepared at home.

Compost is a naturally decomposed, dark coloured, highly fertile, nutrient-rich soil which is heavily used in gardening. Simply put, it is made up of organic and decaying matter, including leaves, twigs, fruit and vegetable peels, rotten fruit or vegetables, discarded cuttings of plants, and other throwaway products from both the kitchen and the garden.

A far more environmentally friendly alternative to using fertilisers, making compost at home is also financially beneficial

The ingredients of compost may even include cardboard, paper, wood shavings, cotton clothing (without any chemical dye) and the manure of animals, including, but not limited to, chickens, horses, cows and rabbits.

When kept together, all of this scrap and throwaway material begins to decay, allowing for the formation of many microscopic organisms. This stack of scraps also provides the ideal environment for the development of bacteria and other organisms to fasten up the decomposing process. Soon, the material in question starts turning into fertile compost and is highly recommended for usage in any pot, plant bed, garden or farm. This makes compost both wallet- and environment-friendly.

The prepared compost helps to improve the quality, texture, fertility and nutrient levels of the soil in which it is being mixed for gardening. It not only helps the soil in the retention of moisture and water, but also reduces the chances of soil erosion. These properties make compost a highly recommended medium for any plant growth. In the longer run, it also helps to reduce the quantity of fertilisers needed by the plants in different stages of growth.

The presence of bacteria and other critters in the compost is also very helpful in safeguarding the plants and soil from unwanted pests and diseases. The bacteria present in the compost work in a dual manner, similar to how probiotics and antibiotics work in humans.

Not only do they play their part in fending off pests, diseases and fungal infections, they also help in plant growth, by improving the overall soil and plant health. Compost also helps gardeners avoid the usage of any unwanted, toxic pesticides, which may add unnecessary chemicals and toxins to both the eventual harvest and the overall environment.

Compost returns different nutrients to the soil and the environment at a varied pace, depending upon a number of factors, especially the ingredients which were originally used to prepare it. This is contrary to how most other fertilisers work. Usually, fertilisers have limited life spans, which is why plants need to be repeatedly supplied with their dosage of fertilisers. When used in a generous quantity, compost continues to release organic, nutrient-rich content throughout the plant’s life cycle.

Regardless of whether you have a huge garden with lots of space or live in a small apartment with limited or no gardening area, preparing organic compost is the best thing that you can do for your plants, and the environment as a whole.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 11th, 2023