And while compost is rich in some nutrients and minerals, it’s surprisingly lacking in others. Much as it might go against your gut instinct, plantinginpurecompost could possibly result in weak or even dead plants. Can I use compost as the sole planting medium? While compost is beneficial, it’s best used as an amendment to existing soil. Planting directly inpurecompost can lead to nutrient imbalances. How often should I add compost to my garden? "You should always use soil for planting your plants. You never plantincompost. Soil is the medium that holds plantsin place and provides them with nutrients and water.I plantinpurecompost all the time and I've never had an issue. Compost provides so many benefits, so why not just plant directly into compost without soil? Will you end up with more bountiful crops this way? In this article, I’ll explain what you need to know about growing inpurecompost and how to get the best out of this kind of arrangement. by Jim (Sussex County, DE). Had a load of compost from a company "Blessing Blends" specializing in organic, high quality compost. What they delivered looked amazing - so after stripping off the sod and laying a layer of about 18 inches of purecompost - I planted. Tomatoes grown inpurecompost are almost certain to need stakes, cages or some other type of scaffolding since compost has a crumbly consistency compared to the density of soil. Plants that grow tall or develop deep-reaching root structures aren’t well suited for compost-only planting. A plantplantedinpurecompost might survive if you water it very often, always topping up the moisture content, but it will likely struggle for other reasons too – so avoid plantinginpurecompost, even if you can overcome the moisture issue. Wrong Balance Of Nutrients. Should you plantinpurecompost? So while it may be tempting, plantinginpurecompost is not a good idea. That’s not to say you shouldn’t plantincompost at all. Just an inch or two of good compost mixed with your existing topsoil is all your plants need. Compost is often used with a little sand to make potting material for seedlings. This will give the young plants the boost they need for a healthy start to ‘life in the fast lane’. So what’s the problem with planting directly into compost? Growing inpurecompost – without soil. MY QUESTION: many other sites advise against plantingin what amounts to purecompost. In fact, other than Mr. Dowding, I haven’t found anyone who recommends this. Do I need to use a tarp over my compost piles? How often should turning be? Question Number 5:Can you grow a plantinpurecompost? Question Number 6:Is it okay to compost moldy fruits like banana? Question Number 7:I want to compost, but I do not want bugs and the smell. I'll be able to plant A new patch in Just Compost that'll be 8" thick. Theres already 2 p?u beds full of compost and I'll have 6 more before planting. Theres piles under the trees that are being cut out I Am finding (Pure leaf mold) Plus I'll be cleaning the poultry/rabbit area this weekend. Growing plantsinpurecompost can cause problems with water retention and stability as well. When mixed with topsoil, compost works wonders with water, as it allows good drainage through heavy soil while it retains water in sandy soil. Purecompost will lack some of the important minerals tomatoes and other plants need to perform their best. I buy a soil mix from my local landscape supply company that blends granite dust (my mineral source) with compost and top soil.
