Re: Using compost
> I'm curious what you long-time experts know about spreading finished
compost
> on your perennial gardens.
Well, I qualify on the "long-term" part; not sure about the "expert"!
I spread finished compost on perennial beds in the spring, as I give them
all a once-over. I spread it as thickly as I can, but there's never enough
compost, so this translates to about an inch or two. I follow with a layer
of bark mulch, partly for appearance, but also because of the way I compost.
I only turn my heaps once or twice in a year, and they don't get
particularly hot, so there's still some occasional seeds in it.
I don't work about working it in. I figure it's natural for plants to get
top-dressed in their native situations, from falling leaves, etc, and the
nutrients will work their way to the root zones without my help. I do use a
liberal amount of compost every time I plant something new or dig something
up for dividing, so in that sense I am constantly amending the soil in a
small way.
I don't use any other amendments in established beds. Unless you're trying
to grow plants that are not really suited to your soil type or climate, I
don't feel there's a need. Of course, I'm lucky enough to have a basically
decent soil and climate 8-)
Sue
ScarletSage@att.net
Zone 6, south-central PA
