A healthy garden or yard begins with the soil. Good soil provides a strong support framework for a plant's developing roots. It also doesn't dry out easily and it supplies plenty of the nutrients plants need to grow. Yard compost delivery is one way to begin feeding the soil so it can feed a bountiful garden bed or lush lawn.
1. Reduce Compaction
Any type of soil can suffer from compaction over time, but those with lots of clay particles are more prone to the problem. Heavy clay soils don't compact to the point where moisture and nutrients can soak into the root zone. Mixing the soil with a few inches of compost breaks up the clay particles so that they don't compact as easily. The compost adds texture to the soil which provides spaces for air as well as moisture and nutrient transport.
2. Increase Structure
Where as clay soils compact, sandy soils do the opposite and allow most nutrients and moisture to simply drain away. Compost contains plenty of organic matter, which provides better soil structure when mixed into a sandy soil. The compost particles release nutrients and absorb some moisture, while the sand already present ensures any excess drains away. When compost is added annually it will slowly improve the structure of the soil over the years until the sand is no longer a problem.
3. Provide Nutrition
Plants need a large range of soil nutrients, but nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are the big ones that typically need to be added via outside fertilization. Compost can naturally contain plenty of these nutrients. An annual application will make the compost nutrients available to your plants. The improved texture of the soil after application also means it will hold nutrients better so they don't wash away quickly following a fertilizer application.
4. Attract Healthy Organisms
Healthy soil is full of garden helper organisms, like earthworms and helpful nematodes. These organisms thrive in the nutrient-rich and non-compacted soil of a well composted garden bed. Soil organisms break down detritus in the soil, which improves soil texture and releases nutrients. Worms and similar garden soil creatures also keep the soil aerated so that it is loose enough for moisture penetration and healthy root growth.
5. Improve Moisture Levels
Finally, compost can better retain moisture. Clay soil tends to become so hard it doesn't absorb moisture much further down than the surface, and sandy soil can't hold onto moisture at all as it drains too quickly. The organic material in compost can absorb sufficient moisture to be released to plant roots as the need it, but it is porous enough so that excess moisture drains away instead of leading to mucky soil.
Contact a yard compost delivery service about topsoil mixes if you are ready to improve the quality of your soil.
