Landscape and Turf - Compost Benefits

Composts is a great soil amendment because it improves soils resulting in better plant growth and performance. The following are some of the benefits of compost:

Compost Improves Soils Leading to Improved Plant Growth and Performance

Physical Soil Improvements

• Builds soil structure
  + Improves pore space distribution
• Improves moisture management
  + Improved water holding capacity
  + Improved drainage
• Improves aeration
  + Improves root function by increasing aeration
• Reduces bulk density
  + Reduced compaction, better rooting

Chemical soil improvements

• Modifies and stabilizes pH
• Increases cation exchange capacity (mineral nutrient holding capacity)
• Complexes with mineral nutrients (natural chelation of micronutrients)
• Supplies nutrients, slow release N source
• Binds/degrades soil contaminants

Biological soil improvements

• Supplies soil biota with food source, promotes growth of beneficial soil organisms (plant roots, soil animals, soil microbes)
• Suppresses plant diseases

Gordon Johnson, Extension Agriculture Agent, UD, Kent County