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Using Your Compost

Once you've made your very own compost at home, you can use it in a variety of ways to help your garden bloom.

Ready to use compostHere are some handy tips on how to use your compost.

Firstly, best make sure your compost is actually ready to use! Check that it is dark brown in colour, has a spongy texture and smells earthy.

Don’t worry if the compost doesn’t look like the stuff you buy from garden centres - it may be lumpy, with twigs and bits of eggshells in, but will be still as effective. Any large twigs can just be put back to carry on composting.

Your fresh new compost will be very well received by your plants and flowers. Nutrient-rich compost helps to improve soil structure, manage moisture levels, modifies and stabilises pH, provides key growth nutrients and suppresses plant diseases – no wonder plants and flowers thrive in compost!


New garden or flowerbed

Help your new plants and flowers bloom by digging a 4-inch layer of compost into the soil prior to planting. Fresh plants will enjoy the benefits of compost’s fertility, disease-protection and moisture control.

If the flowers have already been planted, simply spread a thin layer of the material around the base of the plants – the nutrients will work their way into the roots.

As mulch

home compost being used as a mulchMulch is compost scattered over flowerbeds and around shrubs to prevent soil erosion and enrich the soil with extra nutrients.

To create mulch, use compost that is not quite finished and still has larger chunks of wood and organic debris present. Mulch works best around shrubs and rose bushes. The more you prune the shrub, the more mulch you can apply. Make sure to leave a gap around any soft-stemmed plants as the mulch will ‘scorch’ them.

Around trees

Spread a 2-4 inch layer around the roots to provide nutrients, protect mature or newly planted trees from drought and disease and help suppress weed growth. Apply the compost once or twice a year.

Enrich borders

Spread a two-inch layer of compost over the existing soil surface – worms will quickly work the compost down to soil level. Alternatively, dig a similar amount into the soil of the bed prior to planting. Again, remember to leave a gap around soft-stemmed plants.

Plant new containers for the patio

Mix regular soil with finished compost to create your own potting mix for houseplants or to start new plants from seeds. About a third of the mix should be compost, less when you are planting seeds, the rest soil, to allow the plant roots to take hold firmly.

home compost being used for pottingReplenish established containers

Give your pot plants and containers an extra boost by removing the top few inches of existing soil and replace with your nutritious new compost, leaving a gap around any soft-stemmed plants.


Feed the lawn

Sieve the compost and dress the lawn. You'll need to spread the compost to a depth of about ¼ of an inch over a newly seeded lawn to help young grass take root and thrive, mixing it with sharp sand will help to spread it evenly. Mature lawns will also benefit from a 'compost boost'.

Healthy herbs and vegetables

Compost works well for growing herbs such as chives, parsley and mint. Crumble some compost around the base for healthier herbs. Vegetables thrive in compost and you end up with a healthier crop. Apply compost with each rotation, or use it to earth your potatoes and carrots.