Compost Application Rates
The following are the application rates for typical uses of SAWS compost to achieve fertilizer benefits and soil improvement:
| Use | Amount of Compost Lbs. per 1000 sq.ft. (depth in inches) |
Instructions |
TURFGRASSES |
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| Establishment of soil incorporation | 2000 – 6000 (1/2″ – 2″) |
Mix with top 4″ – 6″ of soil. Use lower rate on relative fertile soil, higher rate on infertile soil. |
| Surface Mulch | 600 – 7000 (1/4″ – 2 1/4″) |
Spread uniformly on surface: (a) before seeding small-seed species (Bermuda); or (b) after seeding large seed species (fescues) |
| Maintenance | 400 – 800 (1/10″ – 1/4″) |
Spread uniformly on surface. On cool season grasses, either apply high rate in fall or lower rate in fall and again early in spring. |
NURSERY CROP & ORNAMENTALS
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| Establishment of Plants | 1900 – 7000 (1/2″ – 2 1/4″) |
Mix with top 6″ – 8″ of soil. Do not use where acid-soil plants (azalea, rhododendron, etc) are to be grown. |
| Maintenance | 200 – 500 (1/10″ – 1/5″) |
Spread uniformly on soil. Can be worked into soil or used as mulch |
| Tree balling |
Use at 50% rate |
Mixed based on compost with bark or soil. |
| Potting soil mixes | No more than 1/3 by volume | Thoroughly water and drain mixes several times before planting to prevent salt injury to plants. Blending materials: peat, sand, vermiculite, perlite and bark. |