FAQ

2524
DR. EARTH® GARDENING GUIDE DR. EARTH® GARDENING GUIDE
Remember - healthy soils equal healthy plants that equal healthy people
It is that simple.
HEALTHY
COMPOST
Thinking of starting a compost pile? Be sure to enrich it with a compost starter. Most of the compost
starters sold commercially do not contain microorganisms in the blend. Our formula contains alfalfa
meal and seaweed extract as base ingredients, but most importantly, we have infused it with several
species of TruBiotic® microorganisms, which are the heart and soul of composting.
If the soil is healthy, common sense tells us, so is the plant that
grows in it. If you take multivitamins, exercise and sleep well, you
are most likely to be healthy. Soil is similar to people. Fertilizers
are the vitamins, wind and rain are the exercise, and sun and
shade are the rest. Organic fertilizers take a strategic approach
aimed at feeding the microorganisms in the soil rather than the
plants directly, which is how synthetic fertilizers work. You might
ask, “What’s the difference, if my plants grow?” By fertilizing or
feeding the soil, you enable it to build nutrient reserves that plant
roots can tap into any time as needed. Feeding builds good soil
structure, creates pores for roots to extend their reach, helps
suppress disease and supports biological diversity. Feeding also
helps maintain a neutral pH to support humus formation that
adds minerals and micronutrients to a living soil.
A well-made compost functions similarly
to a well-made organic fertilizer, except it is
not nearly as potent in nutrients. Compost is
simply the remains of once living organisms
that have been degraded by microorganisms.
Compost usually consists of organic materials
such as yard wastes, plant trimmings, leaves,
grass trimmings, soil with microbes and various
wet kitchen scraps, other than meat. Applying
this composted substance to your soil will help
provide great tilth, microorganisms, nutrients
and nutrient stores.
With compost, the nutrients found in the
organic matter it contains are released slowly.
Compost is so nutrient rich it often meets the
needs of a plant for one year or more, although
you do not reach the maximum growth and
health potential if you apply compost only once a year.
Plants grown with healthy and diverse compost will absorb
a slower, steadier and more diverse set of nutrients than if
they receive synthetic nutrients. Natural compost leads to
healthier, disease-resistant plants packed full of nutrients.
Caution: Avoid compost made from bio-solids or sewage
sludge. Many organic experts warn against them, because
they are linked to heavy metals and human pathogens.
Adding compost to your soil is an excellent way to build
it up, especially if the soil was nutrient deprived in the past.
In certain urban areas, some asphalt lots and industrial
yards have been redeveloped for residential use, because
land values increased. The soil beneath would have been
deprived of organic matter and nutrients for many years. If
you live in a similar area, amending the soil with compost is
one effective way to prepare your area to support healthy
growth. Applying a premium homemade or commercial
compost benefits a soil in any stage of maturity and
helps to establish any edible garden. To get safe, effective
compost for your garden, look for a trusted nursery or
professional grower who can advise you on how to boost
your soil’s fertility.
Manure, or animal waste, is another effective but risky
way to spread nutrients into your soil. Fresh manure has a
substantial effect on soil fertility for agriculture. However, I
do not recommend using it in a home garden. Raw manure
may release ammonia, which is detrimental to plant health.
For this and other reasons, manure needs to be composted
for a long time before you use it in your garden. Once
composted, though, manure is a nutrient-rich material
to mix with your soil. Never use the waste of a carnivore
(meat eater) such as a cat or dog, as it can carry harmful
pathogens. If you raise rabbits, sheep, chickens, horses or
cows, these manures are great. Just remember to compost
them before you apply them to the garden.
Compost and Manure
The Essence of Healthy Plants
FERTILE SOIL
SCIENCE OF THE SOIL
HAPPY AND HEALTHY GARDENING
UNDERSTANDING
GARDEN
BIOLOGY