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Image: kirstyhall,on Flickr
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Organic Gardening has broken down how much compost
to use in an easy to follow guide. Here is what they recommend:
New Garden Beds
First Application: If you plan on adding compost to
a new garden bed 1 time throughout the season, till in 1 to 2 inches of
finished compost. Work it into the soil about 4 to 5 inches deep. For new
garden beds in areas with heavy rainfall or in the deep south, till in 2 to 4
inches of compost.
USDA Zones 4 or Colder: Areas in USDA zone 4 or
colder have short growing seasons which means the garden has less time to
utilize the finished compost. Gardens in these areas need less compost, only an
inch for the first application and a ½ inch annually after that. Again, till
the added compost about 4 to 5 inches deep.
Annual Applications
Second + Applications: After the first application,
garden beds only need a ½ inch of compost annually. Gardens in the south, areas
with heavy rainfall or those with sandy soil will benefit from 1 inch of
finished compost yearly.
Heavy Feeders: Some plants are heavy feeders and
benefit from 1/4 inch of finished compost about midway through their growing
season. (Consult a growing guide for specific vegetables on when to add
compost) Rhubarb, corn, tomatoes and peppers are a few vegetables considered
heavy feeders.
Succession Crops: If you plant succession crops,
add 1/8 to 1/4 inch of finished compost to the soil before your second planting
and so on. Adding this tiny bit of compost will get succession crops off to a
healthy and productive start.
As you can see, a little compost really does go a long
way. As the years go by after the first application is added, you’ll need to
use less and less. Leftover nutrients, the one’s your plants were too full to
consume, leach into the garden bed helping to keep it rich and fertile.
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