Our Grow Appalachia program recently hosted a fantastic class on two of the most impactful practices for any gardener, composting and mulching, led by Tracie Goodman, our McCreary County Extension agent.  We learned how these simple, natural processes can transform yard and kitchen waste into a valuable resource for your plants and soil.

Composting turns organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps into a rich, dark soil amendment known as compost. This “black gold” is teeming with nutrients and beneficial microbes that improve soil structure, retain moisture, and suppress plant diseases.

During our class, we discussed the key ingredients for a healthy compost pile: greens (nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps and fresh grass) and browns (carbon-rich materials like dry leaves and twigs). We also learned about the importance of proper aeration and moisture to help with the process of decomposition.

We also learned about mulching, the practice of spreading a layer of material over the soil surface for the purpose of weed suppression, moisture retention, temperature regulation and soil health.  This can be organic material like wood chips, shredded leaves, or straw, or inorganic materials like landscape fabric.

A highlight of the class was the demonstration of our homemade compost turner. This simple tool makes composting convenient and is easy to make.