weeds should be burned to be destroyed properly. Their
ashes then become good fertilizer. The ashes will also
help control harmful soil insects, such as carrot worms,
which shy away from the alkalinity of ashes. (Use ashes
in moderate amounts.)
Benefits of Compost in the Soil
Improved structure—Compost breaks up clay and clods
and binds together sandy soil. It helps make proper
aeration in clayey and sandy soil possible.
Moisture retention—Compost holds 6 times its own
weight in water. A soil with good organic matter content
soaks up rain like a sponge and regulates the supply to
plants. A soil stripped of organic matter resists water
penetration, thus leading to crusting, erosion, and
flooding.
Aeration—Plants can obtain 96% of the nutrients they
need from the air, sun, and water. A loose, healthy soil
assists in di<using air and moisture into the soil and in
exchanging nutrients. Carbon dioxide released by organic
matter decomposition di<uses out of the soil and is
absorbed by the canopy of leaves above in a raised bed
mini-climate created by closely spaced plants.
Fertilization—Compost contains some nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur, but is