Hole composting is ideal for those without space, resources, or time for traditional composting!
Traditional composting requires at least a few feet of space on your property in all directions. In a little yard, that's a lot of real estate.
Traditional composting requires at least a few feet of space on your property in all directions. In a little yard, that's a lot of real estate.
Some cities and home associations also ban household compost piles for various reasons. Using the improper materials for compost piles may smell or attract hungry animals to backyards.
An avid gardener knows that rich, nutrient-dense soil containing organic matter is the key to a successful growing season. Composting creates this magnificent “black gold” soil.
Composting in holes or trenches lets things decompose in your garden, raised bed, or other dedicated location. All those nutrients and organic debris enter your soil. This powers plants without the (small) inconveniences of composting..
There are several hole composting methods. The digging space will affect some of these strategies. It also depends on your garden arrangement, composting schedule, and location.
Composting season should be considered. Hole composting varies with winter climate. If your winters are mild, you can compost and till whenever.
Digging as you go makes hole composting easy. Again, collect compostable waste in 5-gallon buckets and store them in your garage or back porch.
Dig your hole anywhere on your land. Location where you plan to produce vegetables or plants in spring is ideal throughout the offseason. Dig a foot-deep, wide hole to dump your bucket.
Hole composting is possible during the growth season. Slowly fertilizing plants while adding organic matter to the soil is beneficial.
To side-dress existing plants, dig holes or trenches away from the roots. Be careful not to destroy established roots.
Consider using an empty space when rotating crops from year to year as a hole composting place. Use a full raised bed or an empty growing row that hasn't seen plants or seeds in a few months for hole composting.
Consider using an empty space when rotating crops from year to year as a hole composting place. Use a full raised bed or an empty growing row that hasn't seen plants or seeds in a few months for hole composting.