I'm a big user of homemade
compost and have made a lot of observations over the years, but of
course I'm still learning. So I'd like to hear about other people's experiences and opinions, plus any bits of wisdom from soil specialists.
I'm curious about the differences when using only a couple inputs into making
compost versus using a wide diverse number. Is one better than the other in all situations, or does it depend upon the situation? Can single ingredient compost work? Has anyone experimented in their garden to see which kind of compost results in better plants or more food production? Which results in better
soil test results? Which results in more soil microbes and beneficial soil life?
My own compost piles are very diverse, using lots of different ingredients. But I hear other people using only a couple ingredients, such as pine needles and autumn leaves.
So I guess my base question is ........ How is polycukture compost (compost made from multiple diverse ingredients) different from monoculture compost (1 or 2 base ingredients)?