How to Apply Compost
Compost is an incredibly versatile resource that can be used for everything from growing healthy foods and beautiful landscapes, to erosion control, stormwater management, and environmental remediation. Read on to find resources that help demystify the use of compost - if you have additional questions, or suggestions for resources on this page, email us below!​This page is dedicated to sharing different application strategies and opportunities for compost. By growing healthy soil with compost, we can create resilient communities and strong, regenerative economies. Thanks for joining us in the ground work of building healthy soils!
General Guidance:
Compost & Mulch Use Toolbox
Because compost is such a versatile resource, it can be difficult to decide what kind of compost to use for your needs - and to learn how to use it properly in that context. CalRecycle developed a Compost and Mulch Toolbox as a repository for many different uses of compost and mulch, depending on your needs.
Compost 2023: The Last Mile
Hauling, transporting, and applying compost is one of the most expensive and difficult aspects of the compost industry. This process, collectively, is known as "The Last Mile".
​
Over the last several years, ACP has been working to find solutions to this challenge to help increase the ease and quantity of compost sales throughout California. In 2023, ACP members presented on this issue at the annual US Composting Council Conference in Ontario, CA
Compost Use for Fire Remediation and Prevention
Compost as Post-Fire Erosion Control Treatments and Their Effect on Runoff Water Quality
ABSTRACT. Erosion from fire-damaged wildlands poses a significant water quality concern. Deprived of vegetation, runoff intensifies, which escalates exports of sediments and other pollutants. Used as mulches, composts shield the soil surface and reduce runoff by absorbing water and promoting infiltration. This field study considered three types of compost used as mulches following the controlled burn of coastal sage scrub vegetation.
AUTHORS: D. M. Crohn, V. N. Chaganti, N. Reddy
Compost Use Best Management Practices and Fire Damaged Soils
This report presents the results of a research project that evaluated ways to conserve water and protect water quality as related to compost production and application. The project has four related objectives. The first objective considers the use of compost for remediating fire-damaged soils; the second looks at compost blankets as a means of restoring soils damaged by construction activity; the third investigates a potential Best Management Practice (BMP) for minimizing water pollution from compost operations, including a calculator developed to estimate a compost pile’s potential water holding capacity; and the fourth is a literature review conducted on several topics related to the beneficial use of compost.
Straw Wattle and Compost Filter Sock Performance Report for Retaining Stormwater Contaminants following the 2018 Camp Fire
The goal of the study is to analyze and compare the performance of straw wattles and compost filter socks to retain contaminants from stormwater runoff after the 2018 Camp Fire. The straw wattle and compost filter sock samples studied in this research were deployed during the 2018 Camp Fire throughout the town of Paradise where they remained throughout the rainy season until collection in 2019. Sediment samples near these products were also collected and analyzed for contaminant concentrations to compare with the concentrations found in deployed products. This study characterized trace metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and polychlorinated dibenzop-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F, also known as dioxins and furans) in these straw wattle, compost filter sock, and sediment samples.
Comparing the Ignitability of Mulch Materials for a Firewise Landscape
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension tested a series of organic mulches for flammability, including pine needles, bark nuggets, shredded bark, grass sod, decomposed granite (DG), garden compost, wood chips, and wheat straw. Conclusions included: "Dense, finely ground/screened materials such as the garden compost and the shredded bark proved to have excellent fire-proofing characteristics."
The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension developed a study on the combustibility of various landscape mulches. Conclusions included, "With the exception of the composted wood chips, all of the mulch treatments demonstrated active flaming combustion. Composted wood chips produced only incidental flaming with smoldering as the primary form of combustion."
Compost Use on Turf Grass
Using Compost to Improve Turf Performance
A simple guide to using compost on turf grass, developed by Penn State Cooperative Extension. This tool kit includes basic guidelines for evaluating the suitability of different compost products on turf, an overview of common testing results that are favorable for turf, and a brief overview of different methods of applying compost.
Using Manure Based Composts in Turf Maintenance
This Fact Sheet summarizes the results of a study conducted by Cornell Waste Management Institute and the Cornell Department of Horticulture. This research was completed on four sites in western and southeast NYS over several years to assess compost use in turf maintenance. Dairy and poultry manure-based composts were topdressed at 2 rates (1/4 inch and 1/2 inch) on replicated plots along with control plots once in Year 1 and twice in Years 2 and 3. The impact on soils and turf quality was analyzed and is summarized here.
Case Study: Palm Springs Compost on Turfgrass
The City of Palm Springs Office of Sustainability contracted Community Works Design Group (CWDG) to provide analysis and recommendations on the use of compost to achieve the procurement goals for Palm Springs. The climate, weather, and plant material present within Palm Springs precludes the use of organic mulch, while biofuel and electricity solutions require expensive and intensive infrastructure to produce. Compost has been identified as a recycled product which can be applied throughout the City- owned property to meet the procurement goal, and the Palm Springs Disposal Services indicates they have the infrastructure to convert the recycled green waste into nutrient-rich compost.
The City of Palm Springs identified 12 city owned properties to be assessed for the potential of compost incorporation. Community Works visited these sites, collected soil samples, sent the soil samples off for analysis, estimated the square footage of turf areas of the site, and calculated how much compost could applied to each site.
Interested in learning more?
We bring together composters, compost users, and stakeholders, including non-profits, government agencies, educational institutions, and more.
Together, we grow healthy soil in California with compost.