Compost
Garden Green® Coverage Guidelines for Bagged Compost:
- 1 bag of Garden Green® Compost spread 1 inch thick covers 12 square feet (3 x 4)
- 1 bag of Garden Green® Compost spread 2 inches thick covers 6 square feet (2 x 3)
- 1 bag of Garden Green® Compost spread 3 inches thick covers 4 square feet (2 x 2)
New Planting Beds
Evenly apply a layer of compost, 1-2 inches deep, over the surface of the new bed. Work compost into soil, by hand or with a tiller, to a depth of 6-8 inches. Beds can be planted immediately.
Landscape Mulch for Garden Beds
Evenly apply a 1-3 inch layer of compost over garden beds to suppress weed growth and conserve water.
Landscape Mulch for Trees
Evenly apply a 1-3 inch layer of compost around trees and shrubs, from trunk to drip-line, leaving a 2-4 inch gap around the base of trunks.
Potting Mix for Containers
Blend 1 part compost to 4 parts potting soil.
Planting New Trees and Shrubs
Blend 1 part compost with 3 parts native soil from the planting hole. Place plant in hole and apply amended soil around the rootball, tamping soil to remove air pockets and assure firm footing (water can be added to help firm.)
Existing Lawns
Evenly apply a ½ inch layer of compost over existing lawn as a top-dressing and rake in loosely. Repair bare spots by lightly raking compost into soil. Reseed, and water regularly until new grass is established.New Lawns
Evenly apply a 1-2 inch layer of compost (3-6 cubic yards per 1000 sq ft.) Work compost into soil to a depth of 5-7 inches, blending until mixture is uniform. Plant seed and water regularly until well-established.
Benefits of Compost Use
Compost is not a fertilizer and is not typically nutrient-rich, yet it improves plant nutrition thanks to
its unique physical characteristics. It supplies a significant amount of organic material which helps
buffer soil pH. Compost "hangs" onto soil nutrients, preventing them from draining away, and "offers"
them to plants for easier absorption. Soils amended with compost develop better structure, become less
dense and more porous - resulting in vigorous root growth which yields great-looking plants above the
soil surface!
Amending light/sandy soil with compost helps retain precious moisture, while heavy clay soils "breath" and drain better after compost is mixed in.
Compost contains a rich array of beneficial living microbes that re-energize tired soil. Unlike chemical fertilizer applications that act more like a fast-food meal, compost delivers its nutrients gradually, with little chance of "burning" plants.