Lessons From Down Under… Eugene to Australia

Head south…a few hours to Eugene or into the southern hemisphere to Australia, where there’s been research under way that is even more encouraging to gardeners who use the benefits of compost.

From University of Oregon – Choose compost over chemicals A five-member research team has demonstrated that farmers who apply pesticides to boost crop yields may instead be contributing to growth problems. The team suggests that artificial chemicals in pesticides disrupt natural nitrogen-fixing communications between crops and soil bacteria, and the disruption results in lower yields or significantly delayed growth. So all you home gardeners, choose compost over chemicals.

From New South Wales – Save those kitchen scraps In the highly agricultural region of New South Wales, researchers completed a study on the productivity of farming comparing compost use versus heavy fertilizers. They found that compost helps vegetables grow just as productively as if they had been heavily fertilized. Better still, the compost-enhanced gardens helped reduce the heavy buildup of phosphorus in soils – better for the long-term health of the soil.

To get started composting for your garden, get your free copy of Home Composting Made Easy, a 31-page pamphlet that includes simple step-by-step instructions, illustrations and answers to frequently asked questions on composting. Call 503.434.7445.

< back