{"id":2281,"date":"2025-03-17T18:15:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T18:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/?p=2281"},"modified":"2026-07-23T17:58:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:58:26","slug":"growing-with-natures-best-composting-made-simply-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/growing-with-natures-best-composting-made-simply-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing with Nature\u2019s Best: Composting Made Simply Good"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Growing a garden isn\u2019t always easy…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>But it can be simple.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you first take up gardening, you\u2019ve got a vision.  Maybe you\u2019re looking for a yard that erupts in gorgeous fragrant flowers every spring.  Perhaps you\u2019re more of an herbs & veggies kind of person (we see you, foodie!).  Maybe you just want the trees and bushes in your yard to look good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re like most folks these days, you turn to two sources for information on how to get this whole plant growing thing right.  Naturally, your first stop is the internet, and then perhaps you follow up with that friend or family member who seems like they were just born with a green thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is everyone – and we do mean everyone<\/u><\/em> – has their own opinion on how you should garden.  Raised beds, weird pots, special fertilizers, meticulously specific watering schedules, harvesting do\u2019s & don\u2019ts, to pest control or not\u2026 and sometimes, the information you find just doesn\u2019t make sense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you know it, you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed and in way over your head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does anyone do this???<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Take a breath, dear gardener.  We\u2019ve got your back.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We might be professional plant parents, but plants are a lot more like people than you realize.  People and plants all need the same basic things: nutritious food, water, a bit of sunlight (wear your sunscreen!), and some good old-fashioned tender love & care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gardening isn\u2019t always easy<\/a>; nature sometimes throws you a curveball.\u00a0\u00a0 But on the whole, this process doesn\u2019t need to be a headache.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Getting Back to the Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s go through a checklist of the basics together.  No headaches or TMI, guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Sunlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every plant has a preferred amount of sunlight.  A quick google search will tell you what your plant likes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No clue what your plant is?  Apps like Seek or even a google image search will help you identify your leafy friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try your plant in a spot for a couple weeks and watch the leaves.  If the leaves stay green and even seem to stretch toward the light, you\u2019re golden! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the leaves turn brown, develop red splotches or veins, or get crispy, that\u2019s too much light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the leaves are yellow and droopy, it probably needs more sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trees give you a little more room for error, since they tend to be hardier than the average plant.  Still, try and place your tree in a spot that meets its preferred light exposure. Tough doesn\u2019t mean invincible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See? Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Plants also have preferred climates.  Some are biologically built to handle tropical weather best, while others handle arid desert climates beautifully.  Some are more cold tolerant than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick internet search of your plant\u2019s USDA Zone<\/a> will show you where your plant naturally handles climate best.  If you\u2019re plant shopping, reach for plants that are inclined to favor your zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of zone plants can thrive in your care, but it\u2019s a little more of a challenge.  They may require special care, such as being kept indoors or more frequent watering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lots of people get really hung up on how to water their plants.  With all the weird gadgets, internet hacks, and seemingly conflicting information, no wonder you\u2019re confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that sunlight and zone information you just looked up?  That serves as a guide to watering your plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your plant like partial shade and prefer tropical climates?  It probably loves soil that stays damp most of the time (like in a rainforest) and likes to be watered thoroughly once or twice a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your plant like lots of sun and prefer midwestern desert climates?  Great, it probably prefers to be watered thoroughly (like a naturally occurring flash flood) once a week or every two weeks, with soil that gets soaked all the way through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try a watering schedule and keep an eye on your plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saggy yellow leaves?  Too much water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Droopy or crispy leaves? Needs water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Now, for the Topic of the Day\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Soil, Fertilizer, & Compost: Oh My!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soil, fertilizer, and compost are, functionally, a plant\u2019s \u201cdiet.\u201d  While they require sunlight and water to survive, good soil composition is what enables thriving.  Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Say it with us: Well Draining Soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s it. That\u2019s all you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going to your local home improvement store\u2019s gardening section is more than enough to find something to suit your needs.  A general tree & shrub soil for trees & shrubs, potting mix for potted plants, or succulent mix for desert plants will work just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planting in a pot, make sure it\u2019s got drainage holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For grounded plants, make sure the location you pick doesn\u2019t see standing water after rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ta Da! Soil is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Fertilizer & Compost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fertilizer is typically a chemical agent used like a vitamin supplement for plants.  It\u2019s not great for the environment, but if your plant is struggling, fertilizer in moderation is a really helpful tool.  Slow release fertilizers are always our suggestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic fertilizers are also great!  But, our favorite source of natural nutrients for our leafy companions will always be: compost<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep! Smelly, dirty, decaying compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compost is a mixture of natural debris.  You can make you own from all kinds of sources, like soil, leaves, detritus, and even produce food scraps (think eggshells, fruit rinds, veggie scraps, coffee grounds).  As these organic components decompose, they release their last remaining nutrients into the soil, alongside beneficial bacteria and fungi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding compost to your soil as you plant is a great way to give you garden or yard a natural boost of nutrients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do it on the farm by allowing decaying magnolia leaves to remain around the root ball of our trees.  As the leaves deteriorate, they release their nutrients back into the soil for the tree to absorb.  This practice helps us reduce the amount of fertilizers we need to maintain our healthy groves, and as a result, we\u2019re able to garden more sustainably!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tree\u2019s own decaying material helps support its future growth.  In a way, this practice is beautifully symbolic of the circle of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to Start Composting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s in a pile in the far corner of your yard, or in a container that lives behind your house, composting is so wonderfully simple<\/a> – just like the rest of gardening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combine soil with yard detritus and organic food scraps.  \u201cOrganic\u201d here does not mean your produce has to be organic; we mean organic material, like fruits, veggies, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc.  Don\u2019t go throwing your plastics or processed foods into your compost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet owners, you can incorporate your pet\u2019s droppings into your compost as well.  Manure is extremely nutrient dense for plants!  Leave the litter behind, though.  Only dung goes into the compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can, add some earthworms to the pile.  They\u2019ll help break things down without becoming a pest problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turn over your compost mixture once or twice a month.  Basically, stir the compost to introduce air.  Decomposition releases gas, so you can expect this to have an odor (that\u2019s why you\u2019ll store this outside). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may notice weeds or other things sprout in your soil. Don\u2019t panic, that just means you\u2019ve got some great compost!  Pull out the unwanted plant by the roots, and either discard it or plant it elsewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your compost is ready for use when most of everything in it appears to be broken down and generally unrecognizable.  Depending on the size of your compost pile, this could take a few weeks to a few months.  At that point, the compost should be the color and texture of really dark soil.  Add compost around the base of your plants in the spring and summer, or introduce it to the soil as you\u2019re planting a new friend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Composting!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Growing a garden isn’t always easy, but it can be simple. Here’s a checklist of the basics from Seeds of Life: sunlight, location, water, soil, fertilizer & compost.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2286,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[77,1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t