The average garden generates a surprising amount of waste material during regular garden maintenance. With a compost heap this garden waste material may be recycled. The end product - compost - has a high humus content that helps improve soil structure, encourages a vigorous root system and has moisture-retentive properties. It's obvious then that a compost heap is a necessary feature in the average garden. Composting is the best and quickest way to convert garden waste into organic material that can be assimilated by the soil.

Location:
A compost heap should be located in an unobtrusive spot in the garden. The biggest proportion of compost heap ingredients will consist of lawn clippings. Leaves, tree, shrub and hedge clippings, manure and other garden waste can also be added to the compost heap. The garden is a miniature natural ecosystem, and composting helps plow back organic material to this small-scale ecosystem.

Advantages:
1. Finished compost can be used as soil amendment. For amending poor soil, add two to three inches of compost over the surface and work into the top six inches of dirt.
2. It can be used as mulch around plants or between rows of vegetables where it will discourage weed growth.
3. Compost also helps retain moisture, thus preventing the surface soil from drying out.
4. Compost is ideal food for trees, vegetable and flower beds, shrubs, annuals, perennials and even potted and house plants.
5. A one inch layer of compost spread on the ground is good for garden lawns. To maintain soil quality of the lawn one-quarter to one-half inch thick layer of compost should be spread on the lawn annually.
6. Additionally, you can make compost tea by steeping compost in water; houseplants thrive on compost tea.
7. By using compost instead of commercial fertilizer for vegetables and fruits, you are reaping organic vegetables and fruits.

Overall result is a garden that is self-sustaining and more welcoming to wildlife as butterflies and squirrels. So switch over to garden composting and reap the numerous benefits.

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