Composting transforms kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich humus that improves soil structure and fertility. Kettering homeowners can start a compost pile or bin with minimal effort and reap benefits for their gardens and lawns. This article explains the basics of home composting.
Select a convenient site with good drainage and partial shade. Use a bin or simply pile materials in a heap. Alternate layers of green materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings and coffee grounds with brown materials like dried leaves, straw and shredded paper. Chop or shred large pieces to speed decomposition.
Maintain proper moisture by keeping the pile as damp as a wrung out sponge. Turn or aerate the pile every few weeks to introduce oxygen and distribute heat. If the pile emits odors, add more brown material and turn it. Finished compost is dark, crumbly and has an earthy smell. Screen out any undecomposed pieces and use the finished compost as a topdressing on lawns or as a soil amendment in gardens.
Mowing practices are a cornerstone of lawn care. Set your mower blades high and remove no more than one third of the grass blade at a time. Taller grass shades the soil surface and makes it harder for weed seeds to germinate. Sharp blades produce a clean cut that heals quickly. Mow when the grass is dry and vary the mowing direction to reduce soil compaction.
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots. Most lawns require about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. Watering early in the morning reduces evaporation and disease risk. On heavy clay soils, divide the weekly irrigation into two or more sessions to allow absorption. Avoid daily sprinkling because it leads to shallow roots and higher weed pressure.
Apply a slow release fertilizer only when grass is actively growing. Cool season grasses in Southwest Ohio begin active growth once soil temperatures reach about sixty degrees. For most homeowners this means waiting until mid to late May. A soil test reveals nutrient levels and pH, helping you adjust with lime or sulfur if needed. Over fertilizing encourages rapid top growth at the expense of roots and can lead to runoff.
Core aeration relieves compaction by removing small plugs of soil and thatch. The holes allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate more deeply and stimulate root growth. Aeration is most effective when the lawn is actively growing and the soil is moist. For cool season grasses this is usually early fall, but severely compacted lawns may benefit from spring aeration. Leave the cores on the surface to break down naturally.
Healthy turf naturally suppresses many weeds, but monitoring and prompt control are still necessary. Apply a pre emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent annual weeds like crabgrass from germinating. Hand pull or spot treat broadleaf weeds while they are small. If you notice invasive weeds, address them quickly to prevent seeding and spreading. Integrated weed management combines cultural practices, manual removal and selective herbicides when needed.
Home composting reduces waste and enhances soil health. By following simple steps and managing moisture and aeration, Kettering residents can produce a valuable amendment that supports healthy plants.
Composting also reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills. Educate family members about what materials are compostable to prevent contamination with plastics or meat products. Use finished compost to topdress lawns, mix into potting soil or mulch around trees.
Lawn Impressions LLC is your trusted local lawn care expert serving Franklin, Lebanon, Dayton, Cincinnati and surrounding areas. Located at 3407 Pennyroyal Road, Franklin, Ohio 45005, we've been treating Ohio's unique clay soil and climate challenges for over a decade.
We proudly serve Warren County, Butler County, and Montgomery County including: Franklin, Lebanon, Dayton, Springboro, Centerville, Beavercreek, Middletown, Hamilton, West Chester, and Cincinnati.
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