How do I use How do I use my compost? my compost?

Avid gardeners know that compost has Avid gardeners know that compost has many benefits. many benefits. In sandy soils, it can improve the moisture-holding capacity In sandy soils, it can improve the moisture-holding capacity which increases the drought resistance of grass, shrubs, which increases the drought resistance of grass, shrubs, and flowers. In heavy soils, such as clay, compost increases and flowers. In heavy soils, such as clay, compost increases the infiltration, allowing moisture to move easily into a the infiltration, allowing moisture to move easily into a plant’s root zone. plant’s root zone. While compost has some nutrient value, its real value is that While compost has some nutrient value, its real value is that it holds the nutrients and water in the root zone, making it holds the nutrients and water in the root zone, making them more available to plants. Additionally, research has them more available to plants. Additionally, research has shown that compost has the ability to suppress some plant shown that compost has the ability to suppress some plant diseases and reduce the need for pesticides. diseases and reduce the need for pesticides. Compost is used to top-dress lawns, shrubs, and vegetable Compost is used to top-dress lawns, shrubs, and vegetable and flower gardens. It’s also used as a component of and flower gardens. It’s also used as a component of potting mixes to hold water in potted plants on decks and potting mixes to hold water in potted plants on decks and patios. In vegetable gardens, compost not only adds a low patios. In vegetable gardens, compost not only adds a low level of nutrients, but it also adjusts the soil’s moisture- level of nutrients, but it also adjusts the soil’s moisture- holding capacity, increasing the soil’s ability to shed or holding capacity, increasing the soil’s ability to shed or retain water. retain water. What you’ll need What you’ll need Potted plants, flower gardens, and new trees and shrubs all Potted plants, flower gardens, and new trees and shrubs all require specific ratios of compost to soil. These soil mixes require specific ratios of compost to soil. These soil mixes range from 5 to 50 percent compost. range from 5 to 50 percent compost. To blend your soil and compost, you’ll need: To blend your soil and compost, you’ll need: • container to measure components, such as a measuring • container to measure components, such as a measuring cup, coffee can, or garden trowel cup, coffee can, or garden trowel • soil • soil • compost • compost • some sand or vermiculite, if desired • some sand or vermiculite, if desired • large container for mixing • large container for mixing The most important part of the mixing process is to use The most important part of the mixing process is to use a standard container, trowel, or shovel to measure the a standard container, trowel, or shovel to measure the different components of your soil mix. different components of your soil mix. Creating your soil mixes Creating your soil mixes To get a 5 percent mix of compost to soil, you use your To get a 5 percent mix of compost to soil, you use your measuring container and mix 19 containers of soil to one measuring container and mix 19 containers of soil to one container of compost. This would make a soil that contains container of compost. This would make a soil that contains approximately 5 percent compost. To get a 20 percent mix approximately 5 percent compost. To get a 20 percent mix of compost to soil, you mix four containers of soil to one of compost to soil, you mix four containers of soil to one container of compost. This would make a soil that contains container of compost. This would make a soil that contains approximately 20 percent compost. approximately 20 percent compost. Potted plants Potted plants A 20 to 50 percent soil blend would be the best mixture to A 20 to 50 percent soil blend would be the best mixture to use for pots on a deck or patio, since potted plants tend to use for pots on a deck or patio, since potted plants tend to dry out quickly. A higher percentage of compost helps hold dry out quickly. A higher percentage of compost helps hold more moisture, decreasing the rate at which the soil dries more moisture, decreasing the rate at which the soil dries out. For instance, if you have clay pots that wick moisture out. For instance, if you have clay pots that wick moisture more easily, use a higher percentage compost to soil blend. more easily, use a higher percentage compost to soil blend. Vegetable gardens Vegetable gardens If you use a rototiller, you would apply up to one inch If you use a rototiller, you would apply up to one inch of compost on top of the soil and till it to a depth of five of compost on top of the soil and till it to a depth of five inches of soil. inches of soil. If you are using a shovel to turn your garden, you could If you are using a shovel to turn your garden, you could measure the depth of the shovel blade and calculate the measure the depth of the shovel blade and calculate the depth of the compost needed to accommodate the depth depth of the compost needed to accommodate the depth of the shovel blade. Using one-fifth of an inch of compost of the shovel blade. Using one-fifth of an inch of compost for every inch of depth of the shovel. for every inch of depth of the shovel. Flower gardens Flower gardens Create a soil compost blend that is 20 percent compost. Create a soil compost blend that is 20 percent compost. Mix four parts soil with one part compost. You may also top Mix four parts soil with one part compost. You may also top dress perennial flower gardens with no greater than 1/4 to dress perennial flower gardens with no greater than 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost. 1/2 inch of compost. New trees and shrubbery New trees and shrubbery A soil mix for this use should be around 10 percent. To A soil mix for this use should be around 10 percent. To obtain a 10 percent mixture, you should mix 9 parts soil to obtain a 10 percent mixture, you should mix 9 parts soil to 1 part compost. 1 part compost. Established trees and shrubbery Established trees and shrubbery Top-dress with compost to a depth of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch Top-dress with compost to a depth of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch around the base of the tree out to the drip line. around the base of the tree out to the drip line. Established lawns Established lawns Top-dress lawn with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of compost and Top-dress lawn with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of compost and rake into grass. For best results, aerate your lawn before rake into grass. For best results, aerate your lawn before applying the compost. applying the compost. Seeding new lawns Seeding new lawns Apply 1 to 2 1/2 inches of compost to surface and till well Apply 1 to 2 1/2 inches of compost to surface and till well into the top 6 inches of soil. Then apply seed and rake into into the top 6 inches of soil. Then apply seed and rake into surface. surface.

For more information on home composting, For more information on home composting, visit: visit: www.livinggreen.org www.livinggreen.org

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