We have been programmed to believe that plant nutrients have to be purchased from your local hydro store. All I have to do to argue this form of thinking is ask a simple question.... How did our ancestors do it? I can follow up that question with a better one.. How does Nature do it?
Let's start with the very basics. Plants absorb mineral nutrients from the soil and use them in their internal process. For example, Phosphorus plays an important role in the plant's metabolism of sugars, energy storage, cell enlargement, etc….. Potassium is associated with the movement of water, nutrients and carbohydrates inside plant tissue. They are not Plant food! You don't feed your plant fertilizers!
Then what is plant food and where do they get their energy?. Plants create their own food in the form of carbohydrates and simple sugars. This is done through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is powered by sunlight.
Okay then, why am I adding amendments and fertilizers to soil? Because the plant uses those minerals from the soil in its internal to build its structures. Without minerals, the plant wouldn't be able to even capture light for photosynthesis. Minerals are found in all parts of the plants tissues and cells. Now that we have that out the way, lets talk about compost.
Compost is nutrient rich material created when organic waste decomposes. It is not only nutrient rich but also is loaded with microbial life. Most people make it at home from kitchen and yard waste. It's Free! Nutrients like Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.. are naturally present in organic materials.. They are not accessible in solid organic form and must first decompose and convert to minerals before the plant can absorb them.
This process is pretty easy. Check out the video for details
Let's start with the very basics. Plants absorb mineral nutrients from the soil and use them in their internal process. For example, Phosphorus plays an important role in the plant's metabolism of sugars, energy storage, cell enlargement, etc….. Potassium is associated with the movement of water, nutrients and carbohydrates inside plant tissue. They are not Plant food! You don't feed your plant fertilizers!
Then what is plant food and where do they get their energy?. Plants create their own food in the form of carbohydrates and simple sugars. This is done through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is powered by sunlight.
Okay then, why am I adding amendments and fertilizers to soil? Because the plant uses those minerals from the soil in its internal to build its structures. Without minerals, the plant wouldn't be able to even capture light for photosynthesis. Minerals are found in all parts of the plants tissues and cells. Now that we have that out the way, lets talk about compost.
Compost is nutrient rich material created when organic waste decomposes. It is not only nutrient rich but also is loaded with microbial life. Most people make it at home from kitchen and yard waste. It's Free! Nutrients like Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.. are naturally present in organic materials.. They are not accessible in solid organic form and must first decompose and convert to minerals before the plant can absorb them.
This process is pretty easy. Check out the video for details