To Compost or to Fertilize–that is the question!
Presented by: Lisa Dean*, Illinois master Gardener
The subject of “compost versus fertilizer” initially appears to be one of no-brainers. First thought is dirt is dirt. Second thought is finding enough material to cover the allotted time. Wrong! Doing a google search gives 5,660,000 articles listed in 0.23 seconds! So hold on for a fun revelation that not all dirt is created equal—and there are a number of actions you can take to improve your own garden earth.
*Lisa Dean completed the Illinois Master Gardener (MG) program in 2006. She attributes her love for gardening to genetics—her father was a farmer-at-heart, after he retired from the Air Force in 1971. As part of the MG speakers’ group, she has presented at the Weekend Gardener Conference; the Gateway Home and Garden Show; and a variety of smaller clubs. Her favorite garden style is “cottage,” concentrating on small bushes, trailing vines, and a variety of perennials. She and her husband live out from town–surrounded by woods, farm fields, and all the assorted wildlife that goes with such a setting.