Compost is a great soil amendment for your garden, planting bed, and for a new lawn.  In sandy soils, mix 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil each year before planting.

Compost is superior to bark dust or wood chips to hold in moisture and protect roots during the winter.  Compost adds residual nutrients to the soil, while bark and chips can rob the soil of nitrogen. Compost has also been proven to be fire resistant, while bark and chips are flammable.  Spread between 2 to 3 inches around plants and trees, being careful to keep compost away from the trunks of trees.

After plug aerating and fertilizing, sprinkle 1 / 8” to 1 / 4” finely sifted compost evenly over the top of your lawn, in the spring and the fall.  This adds residual nutrients; helps fight lawn diseases, and may help reduce thatching and aeration problems.  It will also increase the water holding capacity of your soil.  You can cut fertilizer use in half when you top-dress with compost.

Add one part compost to two parts potting soil, or combine equal parts compost with sand, perlite, or vermiculite.

Compost tea is a great nutritional “drink” to give to your plants.  To make the tea, put 5 or 6 shovelfuls of compost in a burlap bag.  Submerge bag in a 50-gallon container and let steep for 2 to 3 days.  Apply teas directly to the soil in the garden or around desired plants.