There Is Such A Thing As TOO MUCH Compost. Stop Damaging Your Soil.

The newest trend is adding compost in endless amounts to your garden. In some cases the additions of compost can be moderate and in others the recommended volume is to garden in straight compost! This is harmful to your plants and the soil. But an over abundance of compost can also affect the environment in a negative manners.
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Ashley is a soil scientist who has had a passion for plants since she was a small child. In the long summers as a child, she would garden alongside her grandmother and it was then that she realized her love for greenery. With years of great studying, Ashley had begun her p
ost-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan.
At first, her second love, animals, was the career path she chose but while doing her undergrad she realized that her education would take her elsewhere. And with that, four years later she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in science and a major in Soil Science.
Some of Ashley’s interests are KZbin, in which she posts informative videos about plants and gardening. The focus of Ashley’s KZbin channel is to bring science to gardening in a way that is informative but also helpful to others learning to garden. She also talks about the importance of having your own garden and the joys of gardening indoors. Ashley continues to study plants in her free time and hopes to expand her KZbin channel as well as her reach to up-and-coming gardeners.
Disclaimer
This description or comments section may contain links to affiliate websites. I receive a commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such a link. This includes the gardening in Canada website. You should assume all links both on the gardening in Canada KZbin, Blog, and all other social media are affiliates and I will receive compensation.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Kate Middleton has cancer (released today) keep her and her family in your prayers. ❤ www.ctvnews.ca/world/catherine-princess-of-wales-diagnosed-with-cancer-1.6818404

[@agustintintin2126]

Lol!........sorry to pop your illusion bubbles about British royals.....Kate has been put up as Illuminati sacrificial offers already! For global cabals cults..... princess as pretty high value sacrifice offering..... some huge events might be on it's way(perhaps April 8th solar eclipse has some things to do with those cabals deep dark magic requirements...)

[@GRPermie]

Breaking down taboo boundaries. Compost is the gardener's darling star item but we have to acknowledge it is not a cure-all. Thank you for the fresh content :)

[@GardeningInCanada]

Good point!

[@olefosshaug5565]

Charles Dowding add 1 inch of compost every fall and he's doing quite well

[@genrottluff1084]

I purchased what was supposed to be well composted organic garden soil (I paid a lot more for it than for just plain old uncomposted compost mixed with sand and wood bits) for my garden beds and all along a rock wall 50 yards of it... I planted a tonne of perennials and started my garden... well almost every single one of my perenials died and nothing germinated and the seedlings I put in died. I suspected pesticide poisoning because plants were all shriveled and weird looking and brown. I decided to test the soil... after this... for pesticides and everything else (not cheap). It came back that my soil was way way too "hot" way too much nitrogen. I pulled half of it out and added good ole "dirt" from the lawn. NOT FUN... GRRRRR

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea... see that's why I get worried about people being told "plant in compost" or just "add compost" it can go the wrong direction very quickly.

[@beautywithdani8622]

I think I burned my plants last season using osmocote in my outdoor containers in texas southwest facing sun. Going the organic powdered fertilizer route this season to prep planters along with a little compost (to retain moisture) and liquid fertilizing by hand as needed, and so far so good! I’m sure my plants could have also used a little more and regular watering too.

[@leahnichol6665]

I was composting on my balcony. I burned my plants last year with raw compost and too much fertilizer. I am testing like crazy now to not harm my plants.

[@souljahaden6184]

What was the compost brand if it was a bagged compost?

[@brianhanrahan7561]

Where I come from When someone says " too hot " means it has not composted completely and needs time to " cool " There is a process of oxidation that transforms.crap into compost and heat is generated in that process . Composted manure and manure are two very different things . Raw manure will burn your plants

[@AdamAnthonyAdventures]

My horses produce about 25 yards of compost a year - have to use it. I do make sure I get herbicide free hay and feed for them.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Very Cool! Trick for a scenario like yours is to consider putting the manure on the tops of your hills where organics and nutrients are lower. Allowing gravity to do the rest of the work for you.

[@stevelau7694]

I'm actually growing my main garden bed in 2ft deep of straight compost and so far I've never had blossom end rot on tomatoes or any possible PH related problems with any of my vegetables. Also live on a limestone bed so guess it shouldn't matter that much.

[@ozarksbuckslayer2484]

There's no shortage of videos here on youtube of countless others who grow amazing gardens in straight compost. As a matter of a simple fact that is exactly what the most praised gardeners of the no-till cult do. Almost everybody who starts their own seeds or grows plants & flowers in pots grows all of that stuff in straight compost. She has no clue what she's even talking about. Everybody who has ever done much gardening or composting knows not to use hot compost because it will kill your plants if you do. Finished compost doesn't stink like ammonia and it doesn't heat up any more after being turned because it finished, meaning it's ready to use. If it smells like anything but dirt it's not done.

[@gioknows]

You are very knowledgeable and you present your videos in a very enjoyable manner. Cheers from 🍁Ottawa🍁

[@GardeningInCanada]

Well thank you. I appreciate that.

[@Cidtalk]

I appreciate all different ways of doing things. I have noticed that a lot of people are either ALL IN on the heavy composting, or they get snotty and say NEVER USE COMPOST...so I like your approach. To keep gardening is the important thing. I know it will take my whole life to figure out everything that works for the way I like to grow things. It's worth the years of testing, experimenting, opening my mind to new ways...all good! Thanks for the good science!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Just need to have fun. It’s just gardening

[@elizknight8262]

You've packed a lot in here. Will need to watch 2 or 3 times. Takes longer to sink in when I have to change my way of thinking!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Sorry! I try to keep this stuff simple but sometimes I stuggle

[@jimaboughoche6191]

Calgary,AB here.Typically I add 2-3" of compost in the fall and again in the spring. This year I'm trying something different. I added 2-3" of compost in the fall like I always do,but I also added a thick layer of leaves on top of the compost and then covered with a tarp. Not planning on adding compost this spring. Hopefully will work out.

[@GardeningInCanada]

The heat the tarp traps will be helpful in decomp!

[@j.b.6855]

Been there, done that with Grazon tainted bagged compost. Luckly for me in was confined to five 5 gallon bucket sips It made me swear never to buy bagged compost again. I only use what I make, mostly leaf mold with some regular compost. My setup now allows me to wait almost two years, so its finished.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That was last year wasn’t it? I remember us having this conversation.

[@gendoll5006]

I am clearing out a large area of wild blackberry bushes to make a compost area. I see all the dead plants from winter, leaves, grass clippings, etc) as future soil now that I’ve gotten into gardening! Lol! Instead of just throwing those things in the tree line or burn pile I’m gonna put them in the same pile and turn over time and hopefully make some good “compost”.

[@GardeningInCanada]

perfect! great plan.

[@jupeisatrip8626]

I don't have a truck so I have to buy bags at the big box store to top off my beds each season. I've been doing 2 bags top soil + 2 bags peat Humus + 1/2 a bag Black Kow manure compost + 1/2 a bag mushroom compost. All bags are 40 pounds. This soil is an absolute dream to plant in! I do the *hardly ever* dig method, leaving roots in ground and most litter to overwinter, zone 7. My whole property is covered with henbit and purple deadnettle in the spring so I plant right in between them. These native plants (weeds?) protect my veggies all through spring from wind, hail, flashfloods and bugs. When they naturally die back, I leave them as mulch. I am loving my garden so much more growing with it instead of trying to change it!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Sounds like a pretty good set up to me. You should be just fine. There’s obviously things you need to do with every garden and you’re probably gonna experience those. But nothing you’re saying hear is alarming to me whatsoever.

[@steffyincan]

I am SO CAREFUL about what I put into my soil because I'm terrified about fusarium affecting my garlic. The biggest way I replenish my soil is by planting oriental mustard as a bio-fumigant. It grows, I flail chop it, and within 15 minutes of chopping I till it back into the soil.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Are you big into garlic growing?

[@steffyincan]

@@GardeningInCanada Not on a commercial scale. I just grow for myself and family. I only plant 200 to 250 cloves. I have an 800 SQ ft vegetable plot, 200 sq ft blueberry plot, and 200 sq ft garlic plot. I rotate the garlic yearly though so it spends one year in a section of the large plot, one year in another section, and the next year back into the garlic plot. Other than garlic I focus big time on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, winter and summer squashes (not every year though), carrots, and I grow fingerling potatoes in containers. I do a lot of canning.

[@refarmer1574]

I look forward to your video on acidifying soil! When I tested ours, along with being nutritionally depleted, I found our soil is alkaline. The test and pH meter I have don't go higher than 8, but I'm pretty sure it's higher than that. 😕

[@GardeningInCanada]

What is your tap water? do your know?

[@user-qx1om2wj1h]

They sell bags of PH down soil amendments in the garden section at stores to lower the PH.

[@carolstuff]

Thanks for sharing info Ashley!

[@GardeningInCanada]

anytime carol! :)

[@charitystolworthy6429]

Living in the high desert of New Mexico, zone 7b, with the lack of organic matter in our soils, the very high alkalinity of our soils, and the solarization of our soils, I have found tilling in a cover crop to begin with and mulching heavily afterwards to be almost necessary. After that initial till and a continued mulch seems to do the trick. Minimal tilling, such as forking the soil in preparation of a new year, seems to work for me. I also like to replenish the micro nutrients with kelp, and foliar feed that Michael Phillips recommends in his book, "The Holistic Orchard." This foliar feeding is used on my perennials and annuals.

[@williamwaters4506]

I over composted two years ago and my garden vegetable plants were a disaster. This winter we had a large amount of rain and the garden was a field of mud. I hope all that rain washed away some of the ammonium. I noticed that I have a hugh number of worms.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I did it one years as well with poorly aged compost. It decimated my tomato plants.

[@jayneteal-jeffery6283]

Love the chop and drop theory. I have done that for the last 15 years roughly. Thanks for such an informative video.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrislevett6824]

Once a year (preferably in the fall when you pull the garden for winter) 1 - 2" layer for the whole year is what I personally do and I have incredible results.

[@mrittenb]

❤

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nice job! Is it vegetable compost or something different?

[@bowtielife]

My garden grows mostly year round. It gets it when it can! 😂

[@alisonnewall1748]

Ashley, where can Canadian home gardeners get a soil test done? Or do you have a home kit you’d recommend?

[@yeahmad3730]

I honestly feel like I should be paying you for this knowledge, thank you for everything!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Jeeze thanks thats a compliment and then some

[@jgsawka]

This was so interesting! Past couple of years I've pretty much only added alfalfa pellets as a fertilizer. Everything is growing gangbusters!

[@GardeningInCanada]

That's awesome. That is what ppl generally call "green manure". Very popular in the world of Agriculture

[@CreativeRedundancy]

Hello Ashley listening. I guess like many things a good balance is important. I try to broadcast it out over the area and allow it to “break down “.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@liftoffthecouch]

I have been adding city compost to my in-ground vegetable garden for a few years. I add a layer of my quails bedding when I clean out their house over the winter, so that's chopped straw and manure. I haven't had any signs of overdoing it yet, but I have been thinking of giving the garden a turn this spring. Normally, i just add 2 or 3 inches of compost on top and mulch with straw. My "soil" is nearly 100% sand beneath a few inches of topsoil.

[@GardeningInCanada]

ooo sandy soil, you are going to have a hard time doing it in those conditions. if you till in the compost do it with the old stuff and add the new as a top dressing

[@liftoffthecouch]

@@GardeningInCanada Will do! Thank you!

[@masikaLUNGO]

Loved this! Initially I was offended, but the information you provided brought a lot of clarity.

[@GardeningInCanada]

never my intent! it is all for fun

[@trevor5290]

So this explains why I love those bags of sheep compost but that said, now that we've moved and sitting on Cdn Shield and have very hard water from our well as well as pine and cedar trees making natural forest compost soil ... I def have to check the pH and follow your recommendations as we build our new beds. It's going to be a busy spring getting this up and going before May 24 weekend.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’m in the same boat 👏

[@debgrouette6885]

Hey, I was a newbie to growing anything and I bought and used only bagged compost for a nice rose plant. It died. I agrees with ya 100%!

[@debgrouette6885]

...as in- there was no other soil for that poor sweet rose, just compost!

[@GardeningInCanada]

that's a strong brew. Try sunshine mix #4

[@user-om8lm8yb9i]

I've been searching forever, but I remember being told never add more than 20% of compost to whatever amount of soil you're amending. That's why I was so surprised when you mentioned now people only using compost.

[@GardeningInCanada]

It’s pretty common!

[@jcl5345]

@@GardeningInCanada I can't find "garden compost" in big box stores, all of them, anymore. Just two or three seasons ago, I could buy a bag of compost. Now all I see for sale is "garden soil." Don't know what that's all about. The only "compost" I find is "Black Cow manure and compost"

[@mr.hamilton5393]

Sharing is caring 😊

[@GardeningInCanada]

Always!

[@riverdalegardens544]

I add about 1 and a half to 2 inches of homeade compost every fall , sometimes "chunky"like a mulch. I do not dig it in. Many years now. All has been well so far. Your thoughts 😊 I love your channel

[@GardeningInCanada]

As long as you are not digging that in it should be fine. You may want to consider a nitrogen fertilizer just because you may be low in that to an extent. What soil type is under the compost?

[@terrymacleod6882]

i'm a lazy composter. everything in a pile surrounded by snow fence till it hits 3 or 4 feet deep, then i start turning it once a month with front end loader. three piles on the go at all times. current pile will hit the garden three years from now. everything goes in. table scraps, garden refuse, chicken manure, chickens, mice... i draw the line at pets and people though. seems to work.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s awesome

[@tomgatum4330]

Thanks for sharing... people prefer organic garden produce for healthy food. To produce organic vege or fruits is not as easy as we might think..lots of complicated things have to be considered...all is about balance..you explained them very well .. thanks once again Ashley

[@Dalmatianbee]

I try to mulch my garden, but the winds are constantly blowing away my mulch. 😭I recently tried adding wood chips around my trees and that moves less, but leaves won't stay. I honestly think Cover crops are going to be very important in my yard.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh man! That’s not nice. Try your plant clippings whole

[@Blossomandbranch]

I’ve been saying this for years! Great video ❤

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@rcarver4049]

I garden in pure compost and have not really noticed the problems you have talked about. (Just lucky with my source, I guess). I can tell you that Brassicas LOVE pure compost. Maybe those with problems could grow different types of plants for a few seasons.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for sharing

[@sharonhochberg3671]

Thank you for this educational video ❤. I was under the impression that soil volume decrease is due plants using up the compost. And so... each year we need to replenish the compost. Is this correct? If not, what is correct? I am interested in organic gardening - no purchased fertilizer. Thank you🙂

[@GardeningInCanada]

so the "depletion" from one season is pretty minimal for gardeners. A good rule of thumb is to think it terms what you produced in compost. if you took all the plant biomass from your garden last year and fully composted it how much would you have to spread on the garden? The answer is likely centimetres not inches.

[@Gladioli10]

This channel is my bible 🙏🏻 thanks for all the knowledge

[@GardeningInCanada]

So nice of you. Listen to others as well though, I am not the answer just a portion of it.

[@KarlLew]

Fascinating! As a vegetarian who makes compost on an annual cycle for proper aging, I have been using 100% compost to expedite a transition from hard clay to no-till. Last year I noticed that my tomato-in-compost experiment worked great except for some blossom endrot. I now understand that ammonium may have interfered with calcium uptake. 🎉Thanks!

[@NotGoddess]

I'm always altering/adjusting my landscape, so when I have extra soil I mix that into any beds that need 'topped off' along with a little compost. And I'm sure what it's like in Canada, but where I am (Midwest US) it seems hard to find real mineral soil in bags. Even bags of 'top soil' used for filling in holes seems 90% wood chips with very little actual soil. I think there's been a confusion of soil being mineral soil but compost is also often called soil, so your 'garden soil' might just be unfinished/unrested compost.

[@brianseybert192]

Mostly due to your input, I age my finished hot compost and my leaf mold for almost a year before use in my potting mixes. This past year I have also been giving my worms more partially finished compost as bedding, the worms do a great job in finishing it off. Tried a aerated hydroponic solution with natural ingredients. Our water is super alkaline pH of over 8, even though I lowered the ph to around 6 the natural ingredient after a few weeks climbed back up close to a pH of 8, no wonder they were struggling. Looking forward to your upcoming video on lowering the pH of our soils. It seems every year one variety of tomato has a blossom end rot issue, I am sure it is pH related. Any recommendations on a soil pH meter? Thanks for another informative video! Stay Well!!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Only the obscenely expensive ones are worth it 🥲

[@geoffsadler6455]

I have two lines of compost piles that are about 4ft deep 4 ft high by 82ft long. I alternate by planting into the previous years pile. For my green matter i use every clipping and uncooked food scrap and an unending supply of grass clippings and nettles. For my brown layer i use a mixture of leaf mold, well rotted horse manure i test for pesticide and well rotted bark chips. I also add the wood ash from any fires i have, Plant soluble calcium i make myself, JMS and LABS at the start to help with decomposition. I plant everything i grow directly into these 1 year old piles. I have never had any burn and very rarely have any other problems other than animals coming to eat something. I have won local competitions for veg and fruit. I have been doing this now for 17 years and never experienced a problem planting into 4ft deep of compost. Pesticides in manures is an issue, but not an issue of "too much compost" and spreading compost that is not fully decomposed (Technically not yet compost) is also not an issue of "too much compost".

[@SouthTexasDragonFruit]

Nice and informational. Thanks for sharing.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for watching!

[@hw2664]

Thank you so much for making this video! I stupidly believed that the more compost I added, the more nutrients I would have in my soil....then wondered why my broccoli were still purplish or pale green. Is there a link to a video of yours that talks about creating good, balanced, fertile soil? ..while on a budget 😅

[@GardeningInCanada]

It's actually my newest video!kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6CtY62dgJ57fK8&lc=Ugzxp15RBRK27BPDJtZ4AaABAg

[@debbielavers9836]

Many years ago when Prince Edward Island started to create compost with household garden waste and green waste, you could get free compost. As a new gardener I took advantage and put two to three inches of this new compost on my garden. Well it took two years for my plants to recover. Some of my plants died. Lesson learned. I’m now pretty careful what I put on my plants.

[@silviag1547]

I’m so glad I found your channel you are amazing wealth of information. Wish I found you sooner before we invested lots of $$$$$ on so many things 😢. Thank you again from Kingston Ontario

[@GardeningInCanada]

Welcome aboard the GIC Crew

[@dreamlovermimi9458]

im not sure but I have been using Silica Potassium Fertilizer on all my Potted Plants and they have been Exploding with thicker, stronger, tougher growth! the SIlica video u made truly works!

[@hannahbeertz1231]

Where did you get it?

[@GardeningInCanada]

👏👏 that is a win

[@janellem6436]

Thoughts on adding mushroom compost (aged 2yrs) to raised beds? I planned on working some into the top of the soil before I plant this spring.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nothing wrong with that

[@beautywithdani8622]

This video is so helpful!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beautywithdani8622]

@@GardeningInCanada I’m still a bit confused on the reasoning behind Earthbox’s recommendations. Could you please explain why they recommend adding lime even when using a fresh new bag of potting mix (should already be pH adjusted). Is it because they recommend to also add a strip of fertilizer at the same time? Would that cause an increase in pH, and therefore need lime to buffer? Does the recommendation of adding extra lime and fertilizer at the time of planting and to not add more later in the season have anything to do with how watering works when using the earthbox? Maybe you could do a video since it’s a bit long. Thanks!!

[@hedgerow.homestead]

Could you do a video about fertilizing seedlings? I don't know if it's different if you use soil blocks vs seed cells... but I use soil blocks.

[@GardeningInCanada]

All the same. what are you growing?

[@hedgerow.homestead]

I just saw your short that says none needed!

[@AvroChan]

My plants that grow in my compost pile always grow the best. No disease, blossom end rot ect... I also grow in strawbales without those issues mentioned... My compost is all my yard clippings in a pile and it does its own thing. I don't regulate greens and browns ect... My yard is a mix of grass, clover, creeping charlie, vetch, heal all, yarrow, nettle, strawberry ect... My gardens get some compost every year not much and get lightly mulched with yard clippings throughout the season. However my yard gets FLOODED every year in spring. Until like late June ducks can swim in my grass... and usually do...

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha awee the duckies have a home. It’s a multi purpose garden 🪴

[@charlesbale8376]

Very useful information, appreciated the video.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronaldthoms2147]

I had a problem with compost an my onions last year We were in a drought the compost was very dry an hydrofobic onions struggled some then we got 4 inches of rain onion leaves turned white an quit growing maybe that calcium magnesium thing or fertilizers took hold all at once

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

Ashley, how do we feel about Hugalkulture? I like the idea as a raised bed option, they seem a great idea if made properly & I like they can be also used as a berm to collect or deflect rain water runoff. Ive been thinking of going this route for years... woulda' had nice established beds by now. lol

[@GardeningInCanada]

totally has its time and place!

[@seth7131]

We need to know how to acidity soil! I did so much right but couldn't get it below 8.5 and that's as high as it would go. I had great plants but not great harvest! Sooooooooon!!!!❤❤

[@GardeningInCanada]

oh my that is high wowzers

[@rdraffkorn3184]

finally someone who can speak to limestone soils and alkaline water . I'll be waiting for a video on that topic i've struggled with for thirty years. since no one , even locals, have anything to say about it other than, ''ya, you can't garden here. sorry'' :/ already staring with fish emulsion for nitrogen.

[@blackmber]

I’m looking forward to the soil Ph video! We have alkaline soil (and water) and I’m trying to decide whether to bother with remedies before planting vegetables this year.

[@GardeningInCanada]

if you do remedy it would be a small adjustment. You can't change pH overnight nor would you want to

[@darlenerobinson3691]

Do you have any advice on digging kitchen scraps directly into the garden for composting?

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’m not sure I’ve done a video on if but just place it where you know there will not be a bunch of roots.

[@reese924]

I have two raised beds that I filled with 1/3 peat 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 compost. Did an at home soil test after my 1st season (last year). Almost no nitrogen. Explains why my tomatoes didn't do too well maybe? I got some organic granular fertilizer that I added to the mix. Also added some bagged compost. What else should I do? I don't need more compost apparently.

[@Gkrissy]

I love veggie compost and havnt had issue yet for over 5 years. I think being in zone7b/8a south with the humidity helps decompose my compost quicker so I don’t have any issues directly planting. I have young fruit trees and that soil are has less nitrogen and phosphorus and I was thinking of using local manures and organic fertilizers to increase those levels. I’m not a fan of synthetic fertilizers because it’s so fast and it has ruined my roses, Chinese snowball and palm tree indoor plants so I stick to organics because it’s more slow release.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dalehowey6095]

What's your opinion about used mushroom compost? It should be well rotted and have the excess ammonia drained out of it during the mushroom growing stage.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea that's true. It falls into the same bucket, just be conscious of quality and it should be fine.

[@soledadfischer7217]

I read about this a couple of months ago and I was really worried but then.... My worms work sooo slow and we're happy like that, so for me compost is not a problem ... Yet.

[@GardeningInCanada]

just be mindful and you will be fine :)

[@Sunflowrrunner]

I did raised beds with 50% compost municipal compost and 50% top soil. It worked great for two years, but now it seems like it doesn't hold water at all. We had a couple inches of rain a few days ago and the top 2" of the raised bed already was bone dry this morning while low spots in the yard are still kind of muddy. I lost a couple trees last year, so I have a better sunny spot for an in ground garden now. May have to move back there.

[@DK6060]

I make a little over a yard of vegatable compost annually - kichen and garden scraps, shredded leaves, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells & old wood chips. I also buy another half-yard of manure-based compost from an organic farmer nearby. It's usually well composted but one year I had to let it settle for 6 months before I put in the garden. I'm interested in the ph video as I am on sandy, alkaline soil (7.8) and I add sulphur to the compost and the beds once a year. I'm trying to grow nutrient dense food so the reduced access to various minerals in an alkaline environment is a challenge. Do you have any thoughts on adding rock dust and micronutrients to compost? I see compost making as a bit of biochemistry project.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nah. Rock dust is just a fancy word for mineral soil.

[@teac117]

You should really do that nutrient uptake video. Gardening is too many steps removed from the chemistry and once one understands (or has an inkling of) how the ion exchange works, the soil CEC and all this 'stuff' we add to the area makes more sense. Also gets rid of the chaff and gives people the ability to tailor gardening know-how to their own soil type, etc etc.

[@teac117]

But maybe not. Doing that you'd run out of content... it's futile to battle each individual myth, but it does keep the videos flow'eth :)

[@GardeningInCanada]

The passive and active growth?

[@teac117]

@@GardeningInCanada Start with passive to cover the secondaries, then move on to active... as people need that to understand how the different types of N ammonium/nitrate causes root interaction to alter the pH. You probably did cover how urea breaks down in a previous video already, although I can't remember. edit: I think you've also tangentially mentioned soil solution... but I don't know if people make that jump to that being how nutrients are uptake and transported during leaf evaporation. That sort of stuff, and how the soil composition manages what's in the soil solution is what I meant. Things like BER then become easier to explain the various ways calcium transport can be interrupted during the life cycle of a plant.

[@teac117]

I just stumbled across your 17 days videos from a while back. We're good - carry on :)

[@verao8626]

Im curious about your thoughts on adding seaweed and kelp! I live on an island in northern BC and kelp washed up on shore is one of the most abundant resources! People use it as a mulch, and I hear about people adding it internationally, but Im curious about the way it would affect the soil health to incorporate it in and turn it into the soil.. especially given the fact that coastal rainforest soil here is often podzol and heavy clays !

[@GardeningInCanada]

Mulch or composting it are good choices. I wouldn’t incorporate it unless it was composted. But mulching it without it being decomposed at all would be just fine.

[@waynesell3681]

Bunch of soil science going on here. Following along best I can.

[@GardeningInCanada]

oops sorry! I try to keep these videos as easy to follow as possible but sometimes I forget what is the norm.

[@SunnyNot]

Hi Ashley, is mushroom manure as good as other manures/compost? (when used in moderation) Would love to hear more about the differences and uses of veggie compost and manure/mushroom manure

[@GardeningInCanada]

I could do a video on that!

[@SunnyNot]

@@GardeningInCanadaIf you going to make that video, could you please also add fish compost to comparison? Thanks!

[@johnduffy6546]

WOW! Didn't know that was possible...How about Vermi-compost &/or actively aerated compost tea? I have some really crappy clay soil that I have been trying to improve for the last 40+ years

[@jackitobin4747]

A friend of mine had a lousy garden year 2023, nothing did well. He uses lots of compost and worm castings in short raised beds; could that be the reason for eggplants, peppers, etc. not growing much?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Very well could be the longer it sits the better it will get because a lot will leach out

[@briancunningham5011]

Seems like if/when i used *too much compost* in my ground beds and/or potting mix, it seems to get really compacted. Atleast on the top it does. Sorta hard crust layer after it gets wet and dries. Have to break it up or punch holes in it because the top will become hydrophobic

[@stijndeconinck6417]

The garden of my new place is mostly pasture. I'm amending heavy clay soil with hay. I'm thinking taking it a atep further and plant directly into the decomposing hay. Ruth Stout method. Any putfalls here, regarding soil health?

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

What are your thoughts on compost tea? I make "tea" out of compost that has urea in the pile. Although my plants are vigorous, I've wondered if ecoli could be an issue doing this practice. I'm not finding much straightforward info on this. As with everything on the internet, some people swear it's not harmful, and others swear it is. Who is right? I know it's likely not that black and white.

[@GardeningInCanada]

It is essentially a gentle fertilizer. If you let it decomp (under oxygenated water) for a period it will have more bioavailable nutrients than regular compost for example.

[@gtavtheavengergunnerlegend3340]

took my peat mix about 3 months to get to a ph of 6.5. all my soil starts out around 7.3 so I mix and let sit in a garbage can.

[@GardeningInCanada]

very nice, that's in the right wheel house

[@dianelarwood597]

So this year I made soil blocks with coir, sifted homemade compost, sifted leaf mould and vermiculite. My seedlings were minuscule until I gave up and potted them up into potting mix. My lisianthus are still minuscule 😢. Should I pull them out of the soil blocks and replant directly into the potting mix? Ontario 6B.

[@GardeningInCanada]

how many leaves are we at?

[@dianelarwood597]

The seed leaves and a few have the start of their second set. I have to magnify with my phone to see them. I started them 1st week of February.

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

Good for you! Lisianthus are the slowest growing annual on earth in my opinion. I've grown them three years now and they take for-ev-er, but so worth it. Start in January next time along with super hots peppers, another snail like germinator and grower.

[@dianelarwood597]

@@GardeningInCanada they are starting to develop their 2nd set of leaves but still only a couple of millimetres in size. I repotted them this morning into potting mix and took the soil block off their roots. Interesting that even though they are tiny their roots are a couple of inches long. Crossing my fingers that they will grow.

[@fixieZfixation]

I generally am looking to hit the limit on compost. I don't use chemical fertilizers. My last frost date is almost the end of March, and by mid May we have average 90's during the day and 75 nights soon after. So, my grow window for tomatoes, big ones, is relatively short. Yes, so I'm looking to grow as fast as I safely can. Hence compost. Any fruit set after April is a waste of time.

[@ApparentBulge]

Looking forward to the acidification video.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I am filming that this weekend.

[@miriambartley6622]

Me too. My garden is good now but I tried opening a new area to the side of it and nothing did well and most things died. I have this precious 40 ×70' plot for flowers and a larger veg garden. The soil is also loamy. My last property was clay so hard that every spring I had to beat the clods with a crow bar. We had 60 ash trees on our property plus all the neighbours- (a huge pile of leaf mold)- plus manure. We were there for 20 years. I think the soil would still need its spring beating. The comfrey and the clay wore me down

[@wbshappy1]

I've been sifting my homemade compost, and it smells like a riverbank. I'm curious what this means? Seems like it means it's been too wet and only the fungus has been working. I've been pretty active at turning it for the past 6 months, trying to aerate it. Am I correct? Should I worry about that?

[@markcarruthers3313]

On the topic of acidic soil, I got into a “discussion” with someone when another person asked about putting pine needles, branches & cones in the bottom of a new 24” high raised bed. Someone responded that it would probably be fine if they intended to plant plants which liked acidic soil, to which a person then responded such a statement was a bunch of crap & that this pine “stuff” on the bottom of a raised bed would have absolutely no influence on the acidity of the soil in the bed. Yes, I got into the “discussion”, having pine tress on my property providing me branches and, literally bushels & bushels of long needles & cones every year. What would be your thoughts on pine “stuff” at the bottom of a 24” high raised bed, please?

[@GardeningInCanada]

The pine needle turn soil ph wonky is an old wives tale. The issue is lack of organics beneath those trees, hard compressed soil from a superficial root system & lack of biodiversity caused but the shading. if you could remedy the lack of organics and compressed soil by building up you are completely fine.

[@markcarruthers3313]

@@GardeningInCanada I didn’t realize the thought about acidity for pine trees was the result of the dead grass that is often under healthy living pine trees. Heck, I’ve got poor gras under a very big Maple tree in our yard…not dead, but very thin, which I believe is the result of shading & the tree robbing the nutrients out of the soil. So you do not believe pine has any acidity properties which would affect the soil, correct?

[@56243G]

​​@@markcarruthers3313 Maples send feeder roots right to the soil surface. I've even seen them sneak through the drain hole of a pot and fill the pot with a snarl of roots. Maples are death to gardens and lawn grass.

[@markcarruthers3313]

@@56243G …and they can do a lot of harm to tiling for water drainage and to sewage systems.🤷‍♂️

[@bowtielife]

I put over 130 pine trees 🌲 in the bottom of my 24 inch raised beds when I started them. That was over 2 years ago and never had acidity issues. Here in Florida that old wives tale is so disproven because millions of bales of pine straw are spread on gardens of all kinds every year. Never a ph problem anywhere.

[@billiebruv]

Yep, a well made compost, when extracted, can be applied with as little as 5ltr, as an innoculum, for 1 tonne of seed

[@hadleymanmusic]

should I just pour all my extra liquid fertilizer on my compost pile? its on my dirt pile ive been turnin. its kinda dry even after a storm few days ago

[@nadialolly-ej8rl]

I got bagged (random) sheep compost from my local garden center, it was no particular brand, had no instructions. I threw a good dose of it into a soil mixture of coconut coir, perlite, etc and once it was watered it turned into a sludgy mud and almost took my plants down by the next day. Instant root rot and mould. It was insane! I’m scarred after that experience I won’t be using it again, even if I add a table spoon to the soil mix I’ve noticed it causes mold, which it’s the “ good” mold, but I’m good I’m not using it anymore lol. I had to entire cut back my hoyas because they weren’t recovering afterwards. I just cut them back entirely and propagated the cuttings. Is this normal??? I’m wondering if I just put too much in or what’s the situation, I assumed you were treat it the same you would worm castings??

[@lisachubrilo]

I'm about to fill my new 12×3 kale bed with all the soil at the bottom of our huge grass and veggie compost pile.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nice! Just make sure it is well composted

[@lisachubrilo]

Yes I've been trying. Thank you❤

[@dreamlovermimi9458]

I have dark gray Heavy Clay soil in my yard. I usually bury kitchen scraps and they disappear in 2 weeks lol

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nice and warm soil!

[@LB-vl3qn]

My question is not related to today's topic, but I'm having a hard time getting a real answer and I hope you can help. How long after soil has been used by cats as a litter box is it safe to use it for planting vegetables, whether or not toxoplasmosis is present? Thanks to all who answer. ~ Lisa

[@GardeningInCanada]

You would want to put that in the compost and let those critters do the work for you

[@LB-vl3qn]

@@GardeningInCanada Thank you. Unfortunately, they've hit pretty much every bed. More than one cat at work here.

[@jcl5345]

Do you have any thoughts about volcanic sand to dig in or apply to your ornamental garden? I understand that there are different types from different regions of the world, and different grades of thickness. I wonder if the mineral rich sand is a plus or just hype. I appreciate that you share the sciences with us. Thanks!

[@alexpresent8907]

When you talk about Organics are you describing, basically, chop and drop and leaving in the plants root system when removing old plants? I’m just asking so I understand.

[@GardeningInCanada]

No composted/decayed and cured. Chop and drop can cause nitrogen lock up if you incorporate it.

[@alexpresent8907]

@@GardeningInCanada can you elaborate as to why? Everything I’ve read it’s good for the soil especially if covered by browns. Or maybe do a video on it. Thanks

[@Utah_Mike]

Ok, what about mulch? I am known to mulch deep, like real deep. Minimum 8 “ grass clippings, at least that much leaves, and any straw I can collect after Halloween. I do 4” layers as by doing this I have nearly eliminated weeds. Gardening about 1200 sqft or so. 😮😢😢😢😢

[@GardeningInCanada]

Completely different concept. I can do a video on this but Deep Mulch only affects the top 2ish inches.

[@Figs4Life]

I have a quick question. I cut down my white Oak tree in front of my house and I kept some wood chips from the bark and branches, I also kept grinded root, is the grinded root good for mulch that I want to use around my fig trees or even have it in my vegetable garden? Is that good to create some good micro microrizzlefungi? Can I use the grinded roots by itself or is it better to mix it all together, And what would happen if I just use grinded roots?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Nothing wrong with that. I wouldn’t incorporate it (unless fully composted) but as a mulch it would be fine.

[@cherylmosher6026]

What is you use “cold” manure, like rabbit? I understand not to add in lieu of the other soil needs.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh goodness… what part of the video is that? I wonder if I miss spoke on something.

[@MonsteraGreen]

How much compost is too much? I feel like I missed something in the video, or I'm just being extra dense. Were you suggesting that we should use absolutely no compost, only mulch or cover crops? Or that some amount of compost is good, but not more than X inches per year? I usually add 1 1/2 to 2 inches of compost every year, and mulch with hay. We haven't had any special issues, just the typical pests and occasional powdery mildew. I love your channel by the way! It can be hard to find science-based gardening info on KZbin.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Sorry the messaging here is within reason. if you were to take all the upper biomass from last years harvest (minus leaves & lawn clipping) compost that. How much compost would you have? that is the answer to how much.

[@MonsteraGreen]

@@GardeningInCanadaThat makes sense. Thanks!

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

That doesn’t address why my compost bin itself grows the healthiest vegetables and fruits in my garden.

[@blacksmithden]

Last summer I had 1 full truck load of city compost in a pile. I had filled all my beds at that point and it was just sitting in a pile. I spread it out a bit and threw some corn seeds in there just to have something else growing. I didn't add anything and got a good crop of corn out of it.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That is awesome! Good job

[@gunnarsson272]

this was something I was taught 35 years ago.. So it's nothing new.. the compost I have is so strong that everything dies. I leave it for at least 5 years, then I can grow vegetables in it.

[@gonegahgah]

Can you grow peas, snow peas, and sugar snaps to add nitrogen to the soil?

[@olefosshaug5565]

I have a huge heap of aged horse manure. I have 20 cm no-dig raised beds with this manure on top of sandy soil. I add bokashi and diluted urine and everything grows just fine

[@GardeningInCanada]

Sandy soil is a different monster all together

[@sunnybizz4857]

I added Saskatoon city compost over my large garden. I am now battling purslane for the rest of my life.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes…. They burned me a few times. Bell flower and persistent herbicides 😂

[@newroots1360]

I’m so frustrated, we can’t buy soil in our little own other than bagged from the hardware store. Whenever I buy “soil” it’s either old wood mulch or peat moss. I’ve tried lots of brands and I don’t think any of it is ever actually soil. Can you recommend a brand of bagged soil that is actually… soil. I need to add mineral soil to my garden and what is sold as soil is always just crappy compost. I’m also in western Canada.

[@GardeningInCanada]

The old thing you could get is called black earth and that may or may not have organics depending on the brand

[@paolae.9414]

Why would you choose animal manure in the garden vs vegetable?

[@gmo3686]

What about vermiculture “manure”/castings?

[@f____p5982]

Ayyyyyy... you fixed the caption!

[@DavidMFChapman]

I make my own compost from kitchen scraps and dried leaves. I don’t end up with a lot, but it all goes in my veggie garden. As my mum used to say “everything in moderation.” I’ve never experienced blossom end rot 😊

[@GardeningInCanada]

Exactly, people generally have a good sense of how much and where. I know where my heavy feeding plants are vs my lighter ones.