Compost and the Raised Bed Garden
Quality soil is the bedrock of a healthy organic vegetable garden. A garden is an investment. You’re not only creating a new, beautiful space in your yard, you’re creating an entirely new (and hopefully vibrant) ecosystem. One way we keep our clients’ gardens healthy year-round is by adding organic compost throughout the year.
WHAT IS COMPOST
Organic compost is a soil amendment made from organic matter that has been broken down and recycled. It's made by allowing plant materials like leaves, food scraps, fruits, vegetables, manure, grasses, and woody debris to decompose with bacteria and fungi. This process breaks down organic compounds into nutrient-rich soil that can improve soil health and help plants.
WHY ADD COMPOST?
Adding organic compost to a garden is one of the easiest ways to add a balanced amount of most nutrients plants need to thrive without worrying about burning or harming your plants
Compost improves soil health by not only adding nutrients to the soil, but improving the soil’s ability to retain nutrients
Compost improves the structure of soil so the plant roots can penetrate easier and the soil drains properly
Compost helps the soil retain water (yes, it helps the soil drain properly AND retain water!)
Compost adds an immeasurable amount of vital soil microbes (microbes protect plants from disease by producing compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens and they cycle critical nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous and make these nutrients available to plants).
WHEN TO ADD COMPOST
We add fresh organic compost every three months and any time a garden is struggling. When you use high-quality soil, you will notice your soil levels drop a few inches every quarter. This is normal and actually means your soil is healthy. Living soil continues to breakdown and decompose over time, which means your soil level will gradually drop over time.
We add fresh organic compost to all of our gardens every three months to not only keep the soil level stable, but also to give the garden a boost of nutrients and microbes at the beginning of each season as new plants are introduced into the garden.
Additionally, anytime a client’s garden is struggling the first step in getting a garden back on track is adding fresh compost (no matter when we added it previously). Without fail, adding compost is one of the most effective tools in our toolbelt.
Important Note: If you’re adding compost during the summer months, make sure the compost is not too hot. Leave the compost in the shade for a day or two. Open the bags if using bagged compost so the compost can cool down. Feel the compost before adding it to beds. If it’s hot to the touch - it’s too hot for tender plants. We like to add compost to garden beds no later than mid-June in Houston so the temp of the compost is not too hot.
ORDER YOUR ORGANIC COMPOST FROM MONARCH!
If you live in Houston or surrounding areas, you can order your compost from us! We use a specific blend of organic material in our compost. We use this blend in all of our gardens. Our vendor is fully vetted, we personally visit the site where our compost is made multiple times a month. We know what’s in the compost (and most importantly what isn’t). We sell compost by the bag to make it easy to add to garden beds throughout the year.
You can pick up your compost bags from us or we can deliver.
FIND QUALITY COMPOST IN YOUR CITY/STATE
The US Composting Council provides a list of STA Certified (Seal of Testing Assurance) Compost providers in the US. While there can be other compost facilities that are safe, if you want peace of mind, compost that’s STA Certified means it’s held to a high standard. STA Certified Composts are regulated regarding what’s in the compost and how it’s produced. Find STA Certified Composts in your city and state HERE.
HELPFUL LINKS
Buy our 2024 Planting Calendar now!
Follow us on Instagram and/or TikTokfor daily garden inspiration!
Wanting to start a patio garden? You’ll love our Patio Salad Planter! Grow salad greens and herbs year-round on your patio AND get our online course to learn exactly how to care for your planter for FREE!
Need help designing and installing landscaping beds or rethinking your outdoor spaces? We'll be right over. Get started HERE.
Check out our Amazon Storefront for products we love in the garden and other fun items we use to bring the garden to our table!
Order your plants and compost for delivery! Plant Order
Want seasonal recipes and ideas for how to make the garden a part of your everyday life? Check out Monarch Living!
Wanting a garden of your very own? Want to add more garden beds? We'd love to help you create your dream garden space. Click HERE to start the process.
Looking for ongoing help taking care of your vegetable garden? Check out what Monarch Garden Company Maintenance has to offer (it's a lot)!
Need garden coaching? Wanting to plant something new? Things not going great in your garden? Want some help troubleshooting? Learn more about our Garden Coaching and get on the schedule!
