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To Enrich Your Soil and Conserve Water... Add Compost! By Chris Merkl, President of Encouraging Ideas It's that time of year again when all horticulturists, soil testing laboratories and 3. Can the compost be incorporated our thoughts turn to the promise of spring- compost advocates. well? Is the slope too steep to allow just around the corner. Not long from now There were several goals in mind thorough incorporation or spreading? the vast majority of us will be planning when the compost classification system 4. Which classification best meets our gardens, and purchasing endless was created. First, it was to raise the the overall objective? Every class varieties of seeds and vegetation. Whether standard of compost production in this of compost has multiple uses. Each you are a novice planter or a seasoned area of the country. Other goals included, class when used properly will improve Xeriscape veteran, incorporating compost increasing customer confidence in the structure of the soil, conserve in each of your planting areas is the best compost products, simplifying purchasing water, provide nutrients and increase place to start. decisions and improving customer microbial activity. However, not every It is well established that compost satisfaction. Early on it was determined compost is stable and mature enough improves the physical, chemical, and that, in order to maintain it's relevance in to provide the necessary nutrients, biological characteristics of the soil in the market place, the Classification Chart in the proper amounts, to a variety ways superior to any other product. For a would be reviewed annually to reflect plants perfectly. It is important to use brief review of the beneficial attributes of necessary modifications or advancements discretion, ask questions and respond compost refer to the WaterWise Summer in the industry. The upper part of the appropriately to sound advice. 2005 issue, page 6. But how does one Classification Chart defines the scientific One final note of encouragement - determine which compost product is and manufacturing parameters of the four seek out those compost producers who are correct for their application? Are all classes of compost. The lower portion members of the Rocky Mountain Organics bagged and bulk products alike? The short provides those who purchase and use Council. Their goal is to provide their answer is "No ". However, information compost with the pertinent information customers with the answers and products is available from the Rocky Mountain they need to make an informed decision. they need to gain the best results from Organics Council ( RMMOC) to help you For simplicity, we are showing the lower their landscaping and gardening efforts. pick the compost product right for you. half of the current chart. Again ask plenty of questions, while most In the spring of 2004 the RMOC Choosing the right class of product "bagged compost" has not been classified ratified and adopted the Rocky Mountain involves four basic steps: by the manufacturer, most reputable Region Compost Classification System 1. What is your application? How will providers of bulk compost should know (RMRCCS) as a foundational document. you be using the compost ... as a soil the classification of their product. Enjoy All the components of the classification amendment for your vegetable garden the experience of restoring life and vigor system are embodied in a Compost or flowers? Perhaps as a top dressing to our dry Colorado soils so they can Classification Chart. The classification for your lawn? provide you with a bountiful harvest. chart was largely the work of one veteran 2. What quantity is needed? Do you To obtain additional information on composter, Bob Yost, yet it represents the need a significant increase in organic the RMOC or their compost classification work of many and has since garnered the matter in your soil? How "good" is the system, please call 720- 371 -6607 or support of a host of compost producers, soil to begin with`? e -mail them at rkymocCwgmail.com. landscape architects, soil scientists, r5] Class I Class II Class IIL Class IV Horticultural, Nursery,_ Turf Sod, Seed Bed Applications: The listed applications for Container Mixes, Turf, Sod, Seed Bed Prepara- Preparation, Raised Gar - Crop production, Turf and Top the various compost Class designations are tion, Raised Garden, den, Vegetable Gardens, Soil blends with limitations. intended for general consideration only. The Vegetable Gardens, Top Top Soil Blends, Backfill, Backfill, Erosion Control, actual use or application of any Class of Soil. Blends, Backfill, Erosion Control. If pos- Mulch. If possible, incorpo- material can be subjective depending on the _ Erosion Control. Water- sible, incorporate at least rate at least 40 days prior to Agriculture soil characteristics, quantity used the method ing to leach excess salts 60 days prior to planting plariring. Deep incorporation of incorporation, and other factors utilized by not required. Can be hl and water thoroughly and thorough mixing very the buyer or user. applied at high volume. before and after plant. Incorporation can be at . ing Incorporation is shallower depths. important. H Best Management Practices w t (o t (How compost is applied and incor- The B used by the buyer, user, or applicator will effect the performance of the products and also the applications MP porated) effects the performance of the for any product. BMP's will also affect the risks regarding plant germination and vigor associated with the use of soil compost product amendments and compost. Can be used as a high per- Should not be, as a high_ percentage of the Cannot be used as a high Cannot be used as ahtgh percentage of the soil Incorporation Notes centage of the soil profile. o soil profile (30% max). percentage of the soil-profile - profile. Incorporation Incorporation in top 4" Incorporation in top 6" u (15% max). Incorporation m top 10" or more record recommended. top 8" or more recommended. mended.' r5]