Compost

The hard, caliche-based soil found in Southern Nevada often lacks the nutrients essential to flower beds and gardens. Adding compost to the soil can improve the soil's texture and ability to conserve moisture. Compost contains vital organic matter that can't be found in store-bought fertilizers. Composting also benefits the environment and community by preventing yard and kitchen waste from going to over-burdened landfill sites.

The core ingredients listed below can be found in your kitchen:

• Fruit scraps
• Vegetable trimmings
• Tea bags
• Crushed egg shells
• Coffee grounds

Let the waste decompose in a backyard bin. Add dry grass clippings, leaves, old potting soil and plant stems to further the process. A compost pile needs some moisture to properly decompose and should be about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Lightly spray the pile occasionally to achieve additional moisture.

When compost achieves a dark color and a rich, earthy smell, it can be mixed into soil or applied as a mulch to gardens.

Bagged compost also can be bought at most nurseries.