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How Much Compost Do I Need – Best Recommendation!

When it comes to organic fertilizer, the compost might be deserved in the top list. Indeed, it is an excellent source of nutrients to enrich the land or your garden for the plants to flourish.

Notably, it is famous for its eco-friendly alternatives to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Accordingly, compost is gradually more favored for numerous purposes, such as gardening or lawn. 

However, not everyone knows the appropriate ways to utilize the compost, especially determining: ”How much compost do I need?”. If you are also confused about this topic, read the following article to acquire a detailed answer with additional tips for your reference. 

Composting How Much Compost Do I Need
Composting via Flickr

How Much Compost Do You Really Need? 

The amount of compost you need depends on the size of the covered area and the depth of compost as you desired. In detail, it is essential to follow the formula to manually define the exact compost coverage: Volume (cubic yards/ cubic feet) = Area size (sq. Feet) x inches of compost. 

Moreover, the dosage of compost varies according to the soil’s quality or types of the garden (lawn, vegetable, or fall garden). For example, it is advisable to use heavy application of compost on the poverty of the soil or boron land. Otherwise, the light dosage of compost is sufficient. 

On the other hand, you probably follow up general rules following to determine the appropriate inches of compost quickly:

  • For flower beds or vegetable gardens: add 1-3 inches of compost to the existing soil 
  • For established or new lawn: 1/4 – 1/2 inch of compost is excellent to apply 
How Much Compost Do I Need
via Flickr

Essential Things To Know More About Compost 

After finding out how to clarify the compost volume for your land, it is essential to acquire further knowledge regarding the compost for optimum usage. So, keep reading! 

Compost and Mulch 

Aside from the amount of compost to apply, differentiation between mulch and compost is also another matter. 

Suppose compost is decayed organic plant products due to the effect of microorganisms and worms. Accordingly, it comes in handy as a powerful and nutritious fertilizer for your garden. Indeed, compost plays an essential role in the growth and productivity of the application or the lawns. 

Besides, mulch has different usage purposes and compositions. Generally, mulch is spread on the soil to modify the temperatures or deliver nutrients as an optional alternative. Hence, you may take advantage of numerous things like mulch, for instance, leaves, grass, or even compost. 

In other words, compost is interchangeable for mulch but keep in mind that the reverse isn’t true. 

Benefits of using compost 

It is undeniable that compost is one of the ideal organic fertilizers alternatives. One of the appealing benefits of compost is to enhance the soil quality since it has tremendous nutrients.

Indeed, the fungi or worms in compost are vital elements to keep land in a good heart. Accordingly, the plants flourish well and faster. 

On the other hand, compost is an eco-friendly alternative to enrich the soil. You no longer have to use chemical fertilizer instead, which reduces the negative impact on the environment and your cost. 

Compost cost 

If you don’t make compost at home, buying compost is the essential way to pick. Therefore, the compost’s cost comes out as another concern.

However, since the compost volume is often calculated following cubic yards or footbags, you may follow those units to select a reasonable price. 

Moreover, the standard price for a cubic footbag is 5$-10$. However, the price probably alters quality, quantity, and manufacturer as you desire.

As a result, it is advisable to do some research or ask other coworkers to choose the trusted manufacturer for great content of compost at an affordable price. 

FAQs

1. Can I use too much compost? 

No, despite the tremendous source of nutrients, be careful to use the appropriate amount of compost for your garden. Otherwise, it will have a side effect of poisoning your garden.

Indeed, the overdose of compost contributes to the high phosphorus elements in the soil, which makes it worse than enriching the garden. 

As a result, kindly keep in mind that it is not recommended to add the compost to the application area more than 2-3 times a year for the ideal result. 

2. Can I just put compost on top of the soil? 

Yes, you may spread compost on top of the soil, and then the creatures in it gradually meld and are exposed to the soil. Accordingly, your soil is still enriched with this organic fertilizer. 

On the other hand, it is unnecessary to dig the compost into the soil since the garden might be cultivated with mulching and prevent the creatures from corrupting it. 

3. How do I know my compost is working? 

Once you acknowledge that the compost doesn’t have a bad smell and contains many creatures in it until you hear them, it notifies you that your compost is working well. 

Besides, another sign that helps you know the ready compost is taking a glimpse at the color and its texture. If you find it turns a dark brown, you might take advantage of it for fertilizing.

On the other hand, there are much visible food contents, which defines that the pile is in the progress of breakdown 

4. How often should I water compost? 

Generally, it is recommended to water the compost pile every 3-7 days. Besides, it would help if you acknowledged that the exact amount of water probably varies based on numerous attributes, including compost volume, pile location, or temperature. Accordingly, it is vital to drain it to avoid being under or overwatered. 

>> Related Post: How To Shred Cardboard For Compost – 6 Methods Comprehensive Guide


Conclusion 

Hopefully, everything is now clear to you, and you have found your satisfactory answer. Following the detailed explanation and additional tips above will ease your mind to define the exact compost you need for your land.

Moreover, if you have any further queries or concerns, kindly feel free to drop a comment to discuss more. Meanwhile, don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends if you find it helpful. See you in the following article!