Good soil for less: compost and soil basics

Healthy soil grows healthy plants, and it doesn't have to come from expensive bags. Compost turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into the best soil improver there is.

Start a compost pile

• Mix "greens" (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings) with "browns" (dry leaves, shredded cardboard, straw)
• Keep it about as damp as a wrung-out sponge
• Turn it every week or two to speed it up
• Leave out meat, dairy, oils and pet waste

Other cheap soil sources

• Free leaves in fall, used as mulch or composted
• City or county compost programs, sometimes free
• A soil test through your local Cooperative Extension office, often low cost

General educational information. Growing conditions vary; check with your local Cooperative Extension office. Nickel Harvest isn't paid by any seed company, garden brand or store.