USE AND APPLICATION OF COMPOST

 

Plants require organic matter to grow. Compost replaces the lost organic content in the soil by providing slow release forms of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and a wide range of micro nutrients. Compost can build and protect your soil in many ways. IT CAN...

• Improve soil conditions
• Provide a source of slow-release nutrients
• Improve water retention
• Reduce the need for chemicals
• Break up clay soils providing better infiltration of both air and water
• Control erosion
• Suppress weeds

 

Compost can be used to amend soil for lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, trees and potted plants. The following application frequency and amounts are given as guidelines. Use you judgement and monitor your vegetation to determine the best rates for your environment.

 

ON LAWNS... On established lawns, apply compost once a year in layers 1/4 inch thick. Water well. To prepare soil for a new lawn, till 4 inches of compost into 6 inches of soil. A light dusting of compost over seeded lawns helps increase germination and water retention.

 

AROUND TREES AND SHRUBS... Lay 1” compost around trees from one foot away from trunk out past the drip line. A 2” layer should be used for shrubs. Apply once per year. To prepare soil for new shrubs, till the soil to a depth of 8 — 10 inches. The depth should be at least twice the width of the root ball. Apply a layer of 4 inches of compost and mix thoroughly into soil. If soil is very poor use 6 inches of compost.

 

ON GARDENS...To establish a new garden or prepare for planting, till the soil to a depth of 8— 10 inches. Apply a layer of 4 inches of our premium blend compost and mix thoroughly into soil. If soil is very poor use 6 inches of compost instead, mixing much of the additional compost into the top 3 — 4 inches of soil.

 

POTTED PLANTS... Do not plant in pure compost. To root property, plants must have a texture provided by soil. Your potting mix may be 1/4 to 1/3 compost. The remainder may be any good planting mix.

 

 

A User's Guide to Compost (pdf file 1.9 mb)

 

The beauty of a garden blossoms from the soil. - A joint project of the Composting Council of Oregon, Washington Organic Recycling Council and the Washington County Cooperative Recycling Program.

 

 

 

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