Nothing will get your garden growing faster than good old fashioned organic compost.  Just ½” of compost spread over your garden will feed your plants for the entire summer.  That’s quite a fertilizing powerhouse!

Not only is it healthier for your soil than using liquid fertilizers, it also encourages earth worm populations and helps the soil hold water. Compost contains micronutrients, something that is not found in chemical fertilizers.

Some people use compost piles, which are fine, but a challenge to keep at just the right moisture level to be successful, and in the desert heat that can be a major challenge.  The pile needs to be watered and turned regularly, which can be a ton of work.  Another option is a composting barrel or bin.  These are small and more easily turned, but you will need to regularly empty it to keep the compost going.

I have found over the years the most efficient way is to compost right in the garden itself.  This depends on, of course, if you have room.  Essentially what you do is bury your composting materials in between the rows. You can bury kitchen scraps (only fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. No meat, fish, or dairy.). Some eggshells are okay. Newspaper is also okay since black ink is now made of soy, but don't use paper with colored ink.   Since you water your garden anyway, it will compost quite quickly since it is in an ideal situation for keeping moist.  No turning needed, just bury in a different spot each time.  When you rototill in the spring, mix it up good and you are all set.  No transporting, no turning…works great.

If your garden isn't big enough to use the composting-in- the-garden method, then build yourself a compost pile or use a compost bin. Add the same items as above, along with straw and other dry plant matter, hair, feathers and paper bags. Just remember wood products do take a long time to compost, however. Also you can add chicken manure and any other animal manure, provided their diet is composed of only plants and grains.

What besides meat products should you NOT  compost? Never add cooking oil or grease, pet waste, wood ashes, diseased plants, Bermuda grass, or plant parts from Eucalyptus or Tamarisk (inhibits plant growth) and Oleander (poisonous).

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