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Compost vs. Fertilizer vs. Mother Nature. The Ultimate Showdown. By: Coco Catalano. Mother Nature. A common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature The word nature comes from the Latin word, natura, meaning birth or character
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Compost vs. Fertilizer vs. Mother Nature. The Ultimate Showdown By: Coco Catalano
Mother Nature • Acommon personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature • The word nature comes from the Latin word, natura, meaning birth or character • Used when nothing except the bare necessities are being used
Fertilizer • Is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. • Dates to the 19th century • 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use.
Compost • An organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer. • Dates to at least the early Roman Empire • The word “compost” comes from Latin where it meant “to put together.”
Items You Can Compost • Brown / dry materials • Dry leaves, dried grass clippings • Wood shavings or sawdust • Nuts and shells • Coffee grounds and filters • Pinecones, pine needles • Shredded egg cartons (the paper kind) • Shredded newspaper and tissue paper • Twigs • Hay • Peanut shells • Cold wood ashes • Dryer lint • Shredded cereal boxes and other paperboard items • Green / wet materials • Fruit and veggie scraps • Egg shells • Tea bags, tea leaves • Fresh green grass clippings and plant trimmings grown without pesticides or weed killers • Plate scrapings (excluding meat and bones)
Why Compost? • Ideal for growing organic herbs, fruits and vegetables. • Saves money on fertilizer and other store-bought gardening products. • A good alternative to chemical fertilizers for parents, pet-owners and others concerned with safety and health. • Conserves dwindling landfill space. • Easy, convenient way to dispose of garden refuse (often prohibited from landfills). • Helps wards off pests and weeds without chemical pesticides or herbicides. • Improves plant growth and quality. • Reduces erosion and nutrient run-off. • Restores nutrients back into the soil. • Helps loosen soil and can be used as mulch. • Breaks down clay based soils.