In clay or silt, compost breaks up the compacted particles to form aggregates so that water and air can move through the soil. Root systems can also forge their way through the soil more easily. Soil health is very important to an overall healthy landscape or garden, and compost is a critical component of achieving soil health. Others are aeration of the soil and covering all bare soil with mulch. This web site focuses on compost, but we will give a capsule of the logic behind these two critical steps.
Aeration allows oxygen to reach microorganisms that break down the organic matter.
Methods of aeration range from simply punching holes in the ground with a pitchfork or pole to rototilling. It also buffers the soil from temperature extremes, controls weeds, and helps to retain moisture. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of all terms in our Disclaimer . Refer to Copyright and Use of Our Materials section of the About Us page.