Why in the world would you want to compost in the first place? Do you even know what compost is? What do you do with the stuff when you've made it? What are the nutritive qualities of compost for your plants or vegetables?

One of the best ways to jump into composting is to understand the value of finished compost. This part of our website will briefly address the above questions. Click on the title to quickly go to the topic:

• What is Compost?
• Benefits of Composting
• Using Finished Compost
• Compost & Nutrition

Note: These topics are also addressed in our 32-page guide, Home Composting Made Easy.

COMPOST & NUTRITION

Who would think that there is a link between well-made compost and nutrition? But there is! And every gardener who grows their own fruits and vegetables (hopefully organically!) can attest to a vitality and taste to their produce that is indescribable. Why? They have integrated nutrient-rich compost into their soil.

Soil and compost, in a sense, are at the bottom of the food chain, and humans are at the top. But don't kid yourself! You are literally what you eat! Look at the diagram below and follow the sequence from left to right, from the SOIL to the PLANT to the HUMAN. You can see the additive effect. Now read on to make the Nutrition Connection!

How to Make the Nutrition Connection

There are 23 elements needed for human health that come from healthy soil. These elements are converted by plants (along with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) into food nutrients such as amino acids, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and fiber. A deficiency of even one of the 23 elements in our food will eventually lead to health problems in our body.

When plants are grown properly in nutrient-rich soil, their absorption of these 23 mineral nutrients can be maximized, boosting the nutrition of the food. In turn, as we ingest the nutrients (i.e. minerals and vitamins) in food, our bodies use them in thousands of enzymes.Enzymes drive our body's huge engine of metabolism and all the vital functions that keep us alive.

Are you still with us?

Deficiencies of key mineral nutrients in the soil prevent those nutrients from being drawn up by the plants and passed on to us via the food we eat. This can lead to a lowering of enzymes in our bodies and less than optimal health. So, keep adding that compost to your garden. It's good for the soil and you!