Compost is decaying plant material, most commonly leaves. As the leaves fall every autumn, they gradually decompose on the forest floor and give off abundant nutrients in the process. In nature, many of the leaves would also blow into the grassy meadows, supplying the grass with the same set of nutrients.
The composted organic matter provides incredible benefits that go well beyond simple fertilization though. It adds structure to the soil, holds moisture, and feeds the microbes that will continue to supply your lawn with nutrients from nature. None of these benefits come from any bag of commercial fertilizer.
