Have you tried composting?

Have you ever tried composting? If not, this is a highly effective way to recycle all the green waste from your kitchen. Not only does it save you space in your containers, but it also provides valuable nutrients to your garden, composting materials feed your soil with lots of beneficial microorganisms that break down into the soil over time, providing constant food for your plants.

Compost also enriches your soil and allows for more plant growth, as well as helping to reduce plant diseases and improving soil drainage.

Composting encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to form humus, a nutrient-rich material. The benefits of composting extend beyond your garden and far outweigh any negatives, if you haven't tried composting I encourage you to give it a try.

Crop rotation

A variety of crops in your garden is essential to maintaining healthy soil, a large number of plants require different nutrients and attract different types of pests.

That's why we at Green Rose Landscape don't forget to rotate their food crops every year so that plants (and family members) don't grow in the same spot more than once every three years. This will prevent one type of plant from draining all the nutrients from the soil.

Benefits of crop rotation

·        It reduces pollution

·        Increases crop yield

·        Increasing nutrients in the soil

·        Increases soil fertility

·        Limits the concentration of pests and diseases

·        Reduces weed stress

·        Reduces soil erosion

·        Improves soil structure

Adding nutrients with manure and nitrogen

Livestock manure can be a valuable addition to the soil, its nutrients are readily available to soil organisms. Fertilizers are perfect for your garden maintenance because they are already broken down and add great value to your garden.

Although manures are always considered positive for the garden, you should always fertilize carefully, pathogens are unlikely to be found in manure from local farms. However, you should be aware of where your manure comes from.

When harvesting crops after applying manure, you should allow three months between application and harvest of root crops or leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach to prevent contamination. Taller crops are not susceptible to contamination.

Manure and its benefits for your garden

·        Chicken manure: The highest nitrogen content, but also one of the "hotter" options. Be sure to compost it and let it sit well before application.

·        Horse Manure: Easily found at most hardware stores, but can contain the most weed seeds (although if the compost pile reaches a high enough temperature, it can reduce the weed seeds), great manure and every high nutrient content. If you are considering horse manure, be aware of the risks involved.

·        Cow manure: A great all-purpose manure that won't burn plants as easily due to its lower nitrogen content. Generally less weed seeds than horse manure, very widespread similar to horse manure and easy to find.

·        Goat/sheep manure: A drier manure that is less smelly and kinder to plants (will not burn as easily). Small pellets also make application easier.

·        Rabbit Manure: This is considered a “cold” manure, so you can add it directly to your plants without worrying about burning the plants as it is very low in nitrogen. Just take some of the "pellets" and sprinkle! Overtime, they will slowly break down, releasing their nutrients into the soil as they decompose.

Encouraging earthworms

Earthworms help break down organic matter into nutrients and minerals that plants can use. The organic matter they recycle is an excellent source of food for your plants and a natural fertilizer for your garden.

Earthworms also greatly benefit your garden by moving around, creating tunnels and aerating the soil, making it easier for your plants to grow roots and access water. There are countless benefits to having earthworms.

Worm castings not only feed plant roots, but carry huge amounts of beneficial microbes that strengthen the community of soil organisms.

Weed care in the garden

There are many ways to fight weeds, some more natural than others, while spraying weeds with herbicide is effective, its long-term impact on your garden and the health of your soil is something many experts do not recommend due to the active ingredient glisophate.

With ongoing investigations into its effect on human health, I would recommend avoiding it. Mulching is an effective way to control weeds and increase the visual appeal of your garden. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and creates the perfect environment for well-established plants to grow.

Additionally, prevent new weeds from growing as they are unable to penetrate the mulch layer and reach the sun. Mulching a garden is a rewarding job and if done right can pay you back for months.

Supply what is missing

Over several seasons of soil building, living organic soil recycles and retains most nutrients. Reducing the need for added fertilizer. When starting a new garden,

make sure the soil has the right nutrients and for the coming season. Soil tests can determine what chemicals your garden is lacking and the fertilizers that are needed to rebalance your soil.

To find out when your soils are ready to work in the spring, take a handful and squeeze. If the water comes out, wait about a week. Soils that form a tight ball when molded, or clay soils that compress into a shiny ribbon, also need more drying.

Planting cover crops

Cover crops are green manures that gardeners turn into the soil to provide organic nutrients. Because they attract beneficial soil organisms and act as an overwintering mulch.

Benefits of planting cover crops

·        Reduce soil compaction.

·        Manage nitrogen and nutrients.

·        Reduce soil erosion.

·        Greater water infiltration and improved water holding capacity.

·        Weed control.

·        Increase revenue.

Types of cover crops

·        Beans and peas

·        Oat

·        Winter wheat

·        Crimson clover

Never walk on garden beds

One great tip for maintaining good soil quality is to never walk on your garden beds. By stepping on soft soil, it compacts it, thereby destroying ciliates and organic soil organisms. One way to avoid this is to have dedicated garden beds for

your produce, I have always done this and by keeping them narrow I have been able to attend to all my plants without stepping on others.

Beds created this way can improve each year, rather than starting each season in a compacted state from last year's pavements, in addition to keeping the soil in the garden beds loose, permanent beds also save time and money. Another advantage of garden beds is lower maintenance costs for your garden.

Transform your garden into a lush, thriving oasis with just one click. By focusing your treatments on permanent beds and cross paths, you can save money while keeping your garden healthy and strong. In addition, permanent beds provide security by facilitating the installation of water. Choose our Garden Maintenance landscaping services today for a greener, healthier landscape!