Compost

At the Miramar Greenery, compost is made from green waste and food waste that has been ground, placed in windrows, turned and watered for 90 days. During this time, microorganisms help heat up these windrows to 165 degrees Fahrenheit ensuring that weed seeds and plant pathogens are killed while they break down the organic material into beneficial soil nutrients. Finished compost is screened to a particle size of one-half inch or less and can be used as a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Practical Application and Benefits of Compost

Compost can be used as an amendment to improve soil texture and increase nutrient and water holding capacity. In San Diego, where soil is of poor quality, mixing compost in with the soil is one of the best things you can do for your yard and garden. Here's how:

• Amend garden soil by incorporating one to two inches of compost four to six inches deep into the soil. Irrigate area twice thoroughly before planting.
• Top-dress planters with compost to help reduce water loss and protect root systems. Spread three inches of compost around the base of plants and shrubs, keeping it from touching plant stems or trunks.
• Use compost as potting mix for growing containerized plants and seedlings. Mix two parts compost, one part coarse sand, one part vermiculite, and one part peat moss.