Soil Building Systems, Organic Compost, Hardwood Mulch, Dallas, TX (2024)

FAQs

Is organic compost really organic? ›

While compost itself cannot be “certified organic” (only food and fiber crops can be certified under the National Organic Program), there are a few programs that people interested in the intersection of organics and compost can use.

Mulch and compost are not synonymous. Simply put, mulch is applied to the top layer of soil to help control weeds, retain moisture, and regulate temperature, whereas compost is applied beneath the top layer of soil to benefit the soil by providing essential nutrients.

Compost is usually used more as potting soil, a top-layer fertilizer to your plants, or to amend your current soil. Whereas topsoil is better for building up your soil level or as a landscape filler. In fact, many times when you order topsoil in bulk, what you get is dirt with some organic matter blended in.

I'm also asked how to amend the soil with compost or fertilizer when mulch is in place. If you want to make it easy on yourself, add compost or fertilizer directly over the mulch layer.

Drawbacks of composting by-products are cost for site preparation and equipment, the lengthy treatment period, targeting final use of compost product, and environmental issues such as odors and dust. Some investment in equipment and site preparation is required or recommended.

Top Choice for Organic Compost for Vegetable Gardens

Blue Ribbon Compost is great for vegetable gardening as it regenerates soil by improving aeration, increasing water retention, buffering pH, adding organic matter, and key nutrients including: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

A properly maintained hot compost pile will kill weed seeds, as well as many other pathogens, so you can compost weeds without having to worry about them popping up in your garden beds. For hot composting to fully kill all weed seeds and roots, follow these tips: Turn the pile frequently.

For an annual bed, remove old mulch before you till the soil and add compost. If you're applying mulch to a perennial bed, you might be tempted to just add a new layer of mulch on top, but this can cause rot, nutrient starvation, and plant death. Remove as much of the old layers as possible before you add more.

There are various ways to use your finished compost. You can sprinkle compost on top or mix it into your flower and vegetable beds, gently rake compost into tree beds, blend it with potting soil to revitalize indoor plants, or spread it on top of the soil on your lawn as a soil amendment.

A sim- ple 1” application of compost will help in the germination of grass seeds and improve overall soil health in the process. Why: Compost is made up of decomposed organic matter that promotes better soil health with the replenishment of texture and microbes.

What is the best form of compost? ›

Trench and pit composting are pest-resistant versions of the heap that put the finished compost right where you'll grow. Dig a trench or a hole a few feet deep. Fill it with organic waste and cover it with at least six inches of soil. The bacteria and worms will start breaking down your waste in no time!

As a general rule, organic mulches typically break down more quickly than inorganic ones. Organic mulches, like wood chips, leaves, and other plant materials, are best at keeping soil moist and moderating its temperature in hot and cold weather.

Because the uses for compost and mulch are different—soil fertilization and amendment vs. soil covering—it is usually not a good idea to use them interchangeably.