Best Compost for Flower Beds: Our 5 Top Favorite Picks

by Alex Kountry
Updated on

Composting flower beds at home is often stigmatized. Many people avoid doing it because they believe it is too complex, will stink, and will be messy. These might be accurate if you use the wrong compost for flower beds. But what is the best compost for flower beds?

Both store-bought and homemade composts can do wonders for restoring your flower beds. They can cultivate rich soil and provide flowers with all the nutrients they need to thrive.

At first glance, the seemingly endless options for compost can be intimidating. There is a wide range of composts that each plant type prefers, and these preferences change as the plant develops. It might not be easy to know where to start, so we've compiled a brief guide to the various compost options and provided some of our favorites.

What Is Compost and Why Should I Use It on Flower Beds?

Compost is an organic matter that has decomposed to form a nutrient-dense soil-like substance. Leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps are only some of the yard and food waste that go into a compost bin or pile to be turned into compost.

According to the EPA, wasted food makes up 21.6% of America's municipal waste. These food scraps clog up our landfills when added to the list of other non-biodegradable waste. Composts are an excellent choice for establishing an ecosystem for decomposing food waste.

The decomposition process converts the components into a nutrient-rich substance that can enrich the soil. As a result, composting in flower beds has a lot of advantages. To name a few:

  • Enhances soil structure: Compost aids in making the soil more porous and conducive to plant roots.
  • It enhances the soil's ability to retain water, which decreases the need for regular irrigation.
  • Provides essential nutrients: Compost contains a high concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, all essential for plant growth.
  • Minimizes your reliance on chemical fertilizers, a practice that is better for you and the environment.
  • Managing pests and illnesses is easier by using compost, as it promotes a healthy soil environment that is less inviting to destructive organisms.

In general, adding compost to your flower beds is a great approach to boost the soil's health and fertility, promoting the growth and flourishing of your flowers.

So, here are the 5 best compost for your flower beds.

1. Sustane Compost Tea Bags

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Sustane CTB Fertilizer, Brown
  • Provides a controlled dose of all essential nutrients for foliar and soil application

Last update on 2024-09-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The middle of the day is probably not the best time to start composting because, let's face it, it's hard, and it takes time. Also, keeping your garbage and yard debris hidden requires a lot of room, and even then, you're restricted by the amount you can donate or throw away.

However, these Sustane Compost Tea Bags are just one of the ways in which composting can be simplified. We did not need to wait a week or two before using these products because they are crafted from components that decompose rapidly and efficiently.

Image Source: sustane.com

The nitrogen-rich organic decomposing material inside the tea bags gave our flowers all the nutrients they needed in a measured dosage. It also helps establish healthy colonies of soil microbes. It was simple to use these tea bags and incredibly effective at fostering the growth of healthy plants.

Many studies have proven that these compost tea bags will last longer and produce greater yields of fruits and flowers than conventional fertilizers. Compost tea is made by soaking a bag in a watering can overnight. Then, we sprayed them on our flowers, veggies, trees, and shrubs as plant food.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Works faster
  • Great for outdoor plants and indoor succulents
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • It has a noticeable scent

2. Malibu Compost 100507245 Bu's Blend Biodynamic Compost

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Malibu Compost Bu's Blend Biodynamic Compost, 12 Quart
  • Malibu Compost Bu's Blend Biodynamic Compost 12qt This compost repairs your soil's ecosystem, saves water and...
  • Managing soil health while also emanating energetic life forces to vitalize your vegetables, plants, flowers,...
  • This product is made in United States
  • Brand: Malibu Compost

Last update on 2024-08-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

As biodynamic gardening has gained popularity in the United States and Europe, this compost made using Malibu cow manure has become a vital ingredient. It's one of the high-quality, most nutrient-dense composts on the market today.

We could use it around our pets and kids as it is made from 100% biodegradable materials. It was a great option for us when we wanted an all-natural fertilizer that would feed our plants and, at the same time, improve soil structure.

Image Source: malibucompost.com

Since it comprises cow manure, Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic herbal remedies, and other dry materials, this high-quality compost was able to restore our soil's ecology, conserve water, and create humus for your plants.

To top it all off, the composted manure won't have the common odor associated with manure-based products, but we found that it will still make an excellent compost tea.

Pros

  • No bad odor
  • Organic compost
  • Pet and kid-friendly
  • Safe for the environment

Cons

  • Pricey

3. Soil Blend Super Compost Organic Plant Food

Super Compost by Soil Blend. 8 Lb. Bag of Super Compost Organic Plant Food. 2-2-2 Concentrated (8...
  • OMRI listed
  • American Vegetarian Association Approved & Recommended
  • NON-GMO
  • 2-2-2
  • + Calcium & Iron

Last update on 2024-09-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Super Compost by Soil Blend is a unique blend of pure, premium earthworm castings and decomposed cow manure and alfalfa. As a result, we expect stronger root development, healthier plants, and larger harvests thanks to Super Compost's high concentration of natural plant nutrients.

The flowers we cultivated in our flower bed thrived in this environment. It's also rich in humus, an organic component that improves soil structure and slows water runoff during wetting events like watering or rainfall.

Image Source: allaboutgardening.com

There are zero chemicals, fillers, or artificial components in Super Compost. Instead, only high-quality organic components that are 100% natural are used.

Pros

  • Non-GMO
  • Odorless and safe to use around pets
  • Organic compost
  • Rich in nutrients

Cons

  • Small amount for the price

4. Dr. Earth All Purpose Compost

Dr. Earth 749688230773 803 1-1/2 Cubic Feet All Purpose Compost, 1.5 cu. ft
  • can be used for many projects in the garden: amendment for planting trees, shrubs, bare root planting, flowers,...
  • rich in green-fed earthworm castings, valley grown alfalfa meal, cold water kelp meal, and a plethora of organic...
  • this product is made in united states
  • all purpose compost
  • use to mulch, break up clay and improve texture

Last update on 2024-09-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Dr. Earth All Purpose Compost is a manually made mixture of organic material and earthworm castings. We used it to mulch, loosen up compacted clay soil, and improve texture in the flower bed or around our home.

Image Source: drearth.com

Green-fed earthworm castings, cold-water kelp meal, valley-grown alfalfa meal, and a variety of other nutrients are just some of the 100% natural materials that go into this multipurpose compost. This product can improve the soil in planting holes for everything from trees and shrubs to flowers and veggies and even a new lawn.

Pros

  • Rich in green-fed animal castings
  • All-purpose compost
  • 100% Natural
  • Improves soil texture

Cons

  • A bit rocky

5. Black Kow Organic Brands Mushroom Compost Mix

Last update on 2024-08-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you've been having difficulties getting your garden off the ground, this bag of composted cow dung is here to help. We used the Black Kow Organic Brands Mushroom Compost Mix in flower and vegetable gardens to help our flowers and plants grow larger and healthier.

This means you can use this organic fertilizer in any landscape. Composted mushroom soil is used in the manufacturing process; the soil is only used once for mushroom cultivation before being bagged and sold to gardeners in the area.

Image Source: redemptionpermaculture.com

Our flowers thrived by adding nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, as this garden compost aids in replenishing those supplies in the soil. Compost can also be used as a top dressing for plants in containers. Adding this mushroom compost to our flowers or garden soil gave our plants a healthy boost in growth.

Pros

  • Organic and natural ingredients
  • Adds important nutrients
  • It can be used as a top dressing
  • Improves growth

Cons

  • Pricey

Types of Compost for Flower Beds

1. Alfalfa Meal

Alfalfa Meal

Sun-dried alfalfa leaves are ground into a meal and used as organic compost. Due to its high nitrogen concentration, this compost is excellent for encouraging plant development, especially in garden beds.

As a result of its high calcium content, it is excellent for encouraging flower blooming and enhancing the general health of flowers. Use this in your flower beds if you want thick, lively, healthy plant growth.

2. Horse Manure Compost

Composts like horse manure are popular in flower beds and vegetable gardens because they soften the soil and supply plants with vital nutrients.

Despite its high humus content, this organic material is not recommended for use as a flower bed top dressing since it may contain weed seeds.

3. Mushroom Compost

Types of Compost for Flower Beds

Mushroom compost is a byproduct of mushroom farming and can be costly. In addition, they appear like generic manure types and have little nutritional value. The most reliable verification method is to compare their N, P, and K ratios, adding up to no less than 7:5:7 or the formula 27:2:1.

In addition to including nitrogen from urea, cottonseed meal, and fishmeal, 100% organic mushroom compost will also include phosphorus from rock phosphate and soft phosphate and potassium from sulphate of potash, wood ash, and granulated slag.

The high concentration of humus also makes it a valuable addition to compost piles. Due to its high moisture retention and water-holding capabilities will work perfectly as a top dressing for your flower beds.

4. Cow Manure Compost

In most cases, cow manure compost is the go-to for organic gardeners because it is widely available on farms. In addition, these composts are low-cost and loaded with beneficial nutrients for plant growth.

Due to their high nitrogen content, they are ideal for encouraging flowering plants, such as those found in flower beds, to blossom and provide you with an array of bright colors to decorate your yard.

5. Bat Guano

Bat guano is ideal for flower beds since it increases flower production more than any other compost.

The high nitrogen concentration of this bat guano encourages flower and leaf growth, making it ideal for filling in bare patches in your flower beds while still achieving your desired level of greenery.

6. Worm Castings

Types of Compost for Flower Beds

Worm castings, often known as worm manure, are among the most effective organic fertilizers available, and they are particularly well-suited to use in small spaces like potted plants. In addition, this compost is superior to others in that it has a higher nutrient content, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor organic gardening.

Since they have been shown to encourage blooming more than other types of fertilizers on the market today, most people prefer using them in their flower beds. It also aids in enhancing the soil texture, so lumpy soil is not a worry. The result is smooth, fertile soil that you will adore.

7. Chicken Manure Compost

Another type of animal compost that may be used as organic material in your flower bed is chicken manure compost. However, using only high-quality chicken manure compost is important, as low-quality varieties have been linked to plant problems.

Some chicken manure composts on the market today have a high nitrogen concentration but lack other key nutrients needed for maximum plant growth, leading to poor performance when used as top dressings for your flower bed or vegetable garden.

8. Other Organic Materials

Compost flower beds can be made from a wide variety of organic materials, including seaweed, eggshells, and our all-time favorite, worm dung.

As was previously noted, protecting your flower bed from fungus and disease by adding a layer of dry leaves will result in healthier flowers and less work when it comes time to grow new flowers.

What Do You Consider When Purchasing the Best Compost for Flower Beds?

1. Quality

What Do You Consider When Purchasing compost for Flower Beds?

For optimal results, you should use compost that has been well-cured and is manufactured from high-quality components. Don’t use compost that may have weed seeds, diseased plants, or other unwanted components.

2. Nutrient Content

The compost you use can significantly impact soil fertility, so consider what nutrients it contains. Plant growth nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium should all be present in high concentrations in the compost you choose to use.

3. Price

Find a compost within your pricing range by comparing the many options. It’s important to remember that lower-quality compost may require more application to attain the same outcomes as a higher-quality product.

4. Availability

What Do You Consider When Purchasing Compost for Flower Beds?

Image Source: lomi.com

Don’t forget about the compost’s accessibility. You should check that compost is easily accessible and can be shipped to your location before making a purchase. It’s important to think about the space and resources you have when deciding to make your own compost.

With these things in mind, you’ll be able to choose the ideal compost for your flower beds, giving your plants the nutrients they require for optimal growth and bloom.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Compost for Flower Beds

1. When should you compost your flower beds?

Compost should be added to a garden in early spring or around a week or two before planting. This will allow the compost to fully incorporate into your soil and begin supplying the nutrients to the rest of your plants. Add compost to your flower bed by hand, or dump it and use a rake to stir it around and mix it with the topsoil.

2. How much compost should you use in your flower bed?

Rather than soaking your plants with compost all at once, a gradual application schedule will ensure they receive a steady supply of nutrient-rich material to help them flourish. How much compost you need in the application varies depending on the type of bagged compost you use. Mostly, the recommended amount is a 2-4 inch layer.

3. Is homemade compost worth it for flower beds?

Yes. However, having a sufficient amount of manure-based compost for flower beds will require various composting techniques. Most gardeners who make use of raised beds compost using a combination of tumblers for food scraps, bins for smaller garden waste, and compost piles for bigger organic materials.

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About the author

Alex Kountry

Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. He also loves to play tennis and read books

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