One of the best ways to keep your yard truly green is by using compost effectively.  Many gardeners have started to move away from chemical fertilizers and are moving toward ecological choices, such as composting, as a way to reduce waste and make the garden greener. 

Composting is nature's way of recycling; the process decomposes and transforms organic material into nutrient rich soil.  A perfectly good compost pile can be built out of nothing fancier than leaves and grass clippings. Other “ingredients” can include: fruit and vegetable scraps, yard trimmings, paper, wood, and organic kitchen waste that is not protein based.  Think about adding some soil if the compost container or pile isn't in contact with the ground, because soil organisms do the decomposing work. 

It usually takes six months to a year to get soil from the composting process; a good way to speed up this process is to regularly mix your compost to allow air into the pile.  Once the process is complete, follow these three tips to use your new soil effectively:

1. Topdressing: This is a great way to ensure your lawn will be the envy of the neighbourhood.  First aerate the entire area before topdressing with compost using an aerator - most garden centres will have aerator units for rent.  After you have completed this process, spread a half inch of compost overtop using a rake, and water thoroughly. 

2. Vegetable Gardens: By incorporating roughly 1” of compost into the soil with a rototiller or by hand to a depth of roughly 5”, you set up the vegetable garden to be a nutrient-rich spot for bountiful growth.  However, be sure not to apply too much compost as some vegetables will not grow well if there are too many nutrients present.

3. Mulching: This is another form of composting in which a layer of organic material is added on top of the soil. It mimics what happens on the forest floor where leaves drop to the ground, break down over time and then are taken back up into the plants as food. It is a slow but efficient way of both composting and preventing air-born weeds from spreading.  An excellent source for mulch is lawn by-product. Using a mower like the Black & Decker, 18” electric corded mulching mower, gardeners can collect and shred every blade of grass or fallen leaf in a convenient detachable rear bag that makes redistribution easier. These clippings are an excellent source of nitrogen for your favourite plants.

Carson Arthur is best known as HGTV's landscaping host from Green Force and Global's Room to Grow. He focuses on creating harmony between urban needs and ecological choices.

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With warm, sunny weather finally here, Canadians can finally enjoy one of their favourite pastimes – gardening – and its many benefits. With today's hectic world revolving around deadlines and obligations, gardening allows us to escape from busy schedules, lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

“Believe it or not, gardening is proven to be a great form of exercise, burning up to 300 calories per hour!” says Karen Webb, physiotherapist and author. “At the same time, all that watering, planting, raking, and weeding without proper preparation can increase susceptibility to muscle strain and injury.”

To prevent gardening-related injuries, Webb recommends this approach:

• Take breaks – Quite often, people spend hours focusing on the same activity and staying in the same awkward position without any breaks. Remember to move around every 15-20 minutes, take short walks and stretch.

• Planning makes a difference – Alternate a difficult task with an easy one and keep your work in front of your body with your arms in your easy zone, between the level of your hips and shoulders, while moving with your work.

• Manage your aches – to relieve muscle pain and soreness, consider taking an over-the-counter analgesic, like Tylenol Back Pain or Tylenol Muscle Aches & Body Pain.

• Use props – There is no need to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment. Using a hot water bottle and foam pad when kneeling can help prevent knee injuries. A bucket turned upside down makes a great little stool for those extensive weeding sessions.

Additional tips to manage pain can be found online at www.livingwell.ca.

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