If you live in an urban setting, you might have difficulty creating a garden, and if you can, it is probably a lot smaller than those in the suburban areas. Using compost in an urban garden might also be something you are unsure of, as some composts have a strong smell which could annoy your neighbours, but if you invest in organic mushroom compost, there is no danger of this. 

You can use your compost in an urban setting with little to no hassle. Compost helps to provide much-needed nutrients to the soil, and if you use mushroom compost, humus is also released which can help to grow microbes and improve the structure of the soil. In an urban setting, this can help immensely, as the soil can often be damaged from pollution or other issues. 

Not sure where to start in your urban garden? Below we give some top compost tips.

 

Rejuvenate Your Turf

 

One effective way to use compost in an urban garden, whether it is a small patch of grass or a full lawn, is to rejuvenate or improve your grass. You can do this by adding about 8 cm of compost into your existing soil and incorporating it thoroughly. When you plant your grass seeds, the nutrients of the compost will release into the ground and help to strengthen the grass roots, making for stronger and longer lasting grass. You can also level out uneven parts of your lawn. 

 

Plant Plenty Of Shrubs

 

You might not be able to plant a large tree or trees in an urban garden, but you can plant smaller shrubs to add shade and depth to your garden. Compost is the ideal base for planting shrubs, but be sure not to add it to a freshly dug hole before placing your shrub, as this will discourage the roots from growing beyond this layer. Add compost to the topsoil of your shrub and use it as mulch so that weeds are discouraged and the soil temperature is maintained. This will help to keep your shrubs resistant to inclement weather. 

 

Make Potting Soil

 

If you do not have grass in your lawn, you can still create a green space by having pot plants dotted around your courtyard or your patio. Compost is ideal for adding to the potting soil, as it will release nutrients into the soil and help your pot plants to grow. Be sure to regularly water your plants and monitor the compost levels. An urban garden can truly be brought to life with brightly coloured pots filled with flowers, herbs, and even vegetables. Make sure your ratios of topsoil to compost are even for optimal results. 

 

Dress Raised Beds

 

If you have raised garden beds to enhance your urban garden, you can use compost to dress them and provide a hearty dose of nutrients and humus. You should ideally do this only twice a year, as compost can last for a long time and, if you use it during the rainy season, the rain will wash the nutrients down to the root level of the plant. Raised garden beds are ideal for smaller urban gardens, but if you do use compost or mushroom compost, be sure that you do not overfill the beds as this could harm the plants. 

 

Grow Your Vegetable Garden

 

Having your own vegetable garden is becoming increasingly popular for those living in urban areas. Not only do you have access to fresh produce, you can make it look truly stunning depending on what you plant. Some vegetables need more nitrogen to flourish, which is where compost comes in to save the day. Organic compost releases nutrients such as nitrogen which will help to make your vegetables healthy and nutritious. 

 

Get Creative With Compost

 

Having an urban garden might mean that you have to keep your greenery on the smaller side, but you can make it lush and green by using organic compost to complement and improve your soil. You can rejuvenate your turf, plant pretty shrubs and flowers, improve your potting soil, and dress raised beds for improved results. 

Your vegetable garden can also thrive when you add compost. If you would like to improve your urban garden easily and effectively, contact Stanler Farms today to find out more about our products.

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