VII. THE FUTURE OF COMPOST USE IN ORNAMENTAL PLANT PRODUCTION

Table 6.4 Response of Floriculture and Foliage Crops to Compost Products in the

Rooting Substrate



Crop

Cordatum

Golden pothos

Dwarf schefflera

‘Mauna Loa’

spathiphyllum

Chrysanthemum

(2 cultivars)

Chrysanthemum



Compost

Typez



Compost in

Rooting

Medium (%)



Growth

Responsey



MSW

MSW

B

B



100

100

100

100



–

–

+

+



Poole, 1969

Poole, 1969

Fitzpatrick, 1986

Fitzpatrick, 1986



MSW



100



+



MSW



100



–



B



50



+



B



50



+



Conover and Joiner,

1966

Gogue and

Sanderson, 1975

Hemphill et al.,

1984

Hemphill et al.,

1984

Wootton et al., 1981



‘Super Swiss Mix’

pansy

‘Floral Carpet Red’

snapdragon

‘Golden Jubilee’

marigold

‘Fire Cracker’ zinnia

‘Sugar Plum’ petunia

‘Accent Red’ impatiens



B



100



+



B

B

B/YT



100

100

100



+

+

+



‘Accent Red’ impatiens



R/YT



100



=



‘Accent Red’ impatiens



MSW



100



–



z



y



Reference



Wootton et al., 1981

Wootton et al., 1981

Klock and

Fitzpatrick, 1997

Klock and

Fitzpatrick, 1997

Klock and

Fitzpatrick, 1997



MSW = municipal solid waste compost; B = biosolids compost; B/YT = biosolids/yard

trimmings co-compost; R/YT = refuse-derived fuel residuals/biosolids/yard trimmings cocompost.

+, –, = represent positive, negative, or neutral, respectively (usually relative to a control).



and chemical parameters or because the manufacturer was no longer in the composting business.

There are relatively few published studies that illustrate how changes in feedstock

composition or process parameters can influence efficacy of the compost product.

Some studies (Fitzpatrick, 1986; Fitzpatrick, 1989; Fitzpatrick and Carter, 1983;

Fitzpatrick et al., 1993; Klock and Fitzpatrick, 1997) have provided insight on how

compost product quality may be influenced by the feedstocks from which the

compost is made, the ways these materials are processed prior to composting, the

amount of time these materials are allowed to compost, and the ways these materials

are processed after composting. These and other studies clearly showed that such

factors can cause major changes (such as pH and soluble salt elevation, introduction

of phytotoxic materials, and other perturbations) in the compost product’s ability to

provide a suitable rooting environment for nursery crops.

The U.S. Composting Council, recognizing the need for greater standardization

of testing and characterization procedures for composting and compost products,

has developed the publication Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and

Compost (Leege and Thompson, 1997). This document, although currently in draft



© 2001 by CRC Press LLC



form, is available for purchase from its publisher. When completed, it would allow

compost users and their advisors more specific analytical tools to compare compost

products manufactured by different companies and different types of compost products made by the same organization. As more information elucidates the impacts of

specific processes undertaken prior to, during, and after the composting period,

growers will be able to make more precise and reliable decisions on how compost

products can be most effectively used to increase crop productivity.



REFERENCES

Chaney, R.L., J.B. Munns, and H.M. Cathey. 1980. Effectiveness of digested sewage sludge

compost in supplying nutrients for soilless potting media. Journal of the American

Society for Horticultural Science 105(4):485–492.

Conover, C.A. and J.N. Joiner. 1966. Garbage compost as a potential soil component in

production of Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Yellow Delaware’ and ‘Oregon.’ Proceedings

of the Florida State Horticultural Society 79:424–426.

Davidson, H., R. Mecklenberg, and C. Peterson. 1999. Nursery Management, Administration

and Culture, 4th edition. Prentice–Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

DeGroot, R. 1956. L’utilisation du compost de ville en horticulture. Revue de l’agriculture

(Bruxelles) 9:165–171.

DeGroot, R. 1961. L’utilisation du compost urbain dans la culture des plantes ornamentales

de la region Gantoise. Revue de l’agriculture (Bruxelles) 14:517–523.

Fitzpatrick, G. 1981. Evaluation of potting mixes derived from urban waste products. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 94:95–97.

Fitzpatrick, G. 1985. Container production of tropical trees using sewage effluent, incinerator

ash and sludge compost. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 3:123–125.

Fitzpatrick, G. E. 1986. Sludge processing effects on compost quality. BioCycle 27(9):32–35.

Fitzpatrick, G.E. 1989. Solid waste composts as growing media. BioCycle 30(9):62–64.

Fitzpatrick, G. and N.S. Carter. 1983. Assessment of sewage sludge compost mixtures as

container growing media. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society

96:257–259.

Fitzpatrick, G.E. and D.B. McConnell. 1998. Compost uses for the landscape and nursery

industries, p. 43–45. In: D. Tonnessen (ed.). Compost Use in Florida. Florida Center for

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee.

Fitzpatrick, G.E. and S.D. Verkade. 1991. Substrate influence on compost efficacy as a nursery

growing medium. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 104:308–310.

Fitzpatrick, G.E., P.A. Davis, and M.L. Lamberts. 1993. Effects of processing technologies

on efficacy of sludge-yard trash cocompost. Compost Science and Utilization 1(2):73–78.

Fitzpatrick, G.E., E.R. Duke, and K.A. Klock-Moore. 1998. Use of compost products for

ornamental crop production: research and grower experiences. HortScience

33(6):941–944.

Gogue, C.J. and K.C. Sanderson. 1975. Municipal compost as a medium amendment for

chrysanthemum culture. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

100:213–216.



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Gouin, F.R. 1977. Conifer tree seedling response to nursery soil amended with composted

sewage sludge. HortScience 12:341–342.

Gouin, F.R. and J.M. Walker. 1977. Deciduous tree seedling response to nursery soil amended

with composted sewage sludge. HortScience 12:45–47.

Hemphill, D.D., Jr., R.L. Ticknor, and D.J. Flower. 1984. Growth response of annual transplants and physical and chemical properties of growing media as influenced by composted sewage sludge amended with organic and inorganic materials. Journal of

Environmental Horticulture 2(4):112–116.

Higginbotham, J.S. 1990. Four centuries of planting and progress: a history of the U.S. nursery

industry. American Nurseryman 171(12):36–59.

Howard, A. and Y.D. Wad. 1931. The Waste Products of Agriculture, Their Utilization as

Humus. Oxford University Press, London, United Kingdom.

Hue, N.V. and B.A. Sobieszczyk. 1999. Nutritional value of some biowastes and soil amendments. Compost Science and Utilization 7(1):34–41.

Jimenez, E.I. and V.P. Garcia. 1989. Evaluation of city refuse compost maturity:a review.

Biological Wastes 27:115–142.

Kellogg, C. 1985. Marketing to targeted users. BioCycle 26(5):44.

Klock, K.A. and G.E. Fitzpatrick. 1997. Growth of Impatiens ‘Accent Red’ in three compost

products. Compost Science and Utilization 5(4):26–30.

Leege, P.B. and W.H. Thompson (ed.). 1997. Test Methods for the Examination of Composting

and Compost, 1st edition. The United States Composting Council, Bethesda, Maryland.

Lumis, G.P. and A.G. Johnson. 1982. Boron toxicity and growth suppression of Forsythia

and Thuja grown in mixes amended with municipal waste compost. HortScience

17:821–822.

Obeng, L.A. and F.W. Wright. 1987. The Cocomposting of Domestic Solid and Human Wastes.

World Bank Technical Report No. 57, The World Bank, Washington, D.C.

Poole, R.T. 1969. Rooting response of four ornamental species propagated in various media.

Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 82:393–397.

Poole, R.T., C.A. Conover, and J.N. Joiner. 1981. Soils and potting mixtures, p. 179–202. In:

J.N. Joiner (ed.). Foliage Plant Production. Prentice–Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Raymond, D.A., C. Chong, and R.D. Voroney. 1998. Response of four container grown woody

ornamentals to immature composted media derived from waxed corrugated cardboard.

Compost Science and Utilization 6(2):67–74.

Rodale, J.I., R. Rodale, J. Olds, M.C. Goldman, M. Franz, and J. Minnich. 1960. The Complete

Book of Composting. Rodale Books, Emmaus, Pennsylvania.

Roe, N.E. 1998. Compost utilization for vegetable and fruit crops. HortScience

33(6):934–937.

Sanderson, K.C. 1980. Use of a sewage-refuse compost in the production of ornamental

plants. HortScience 15:173–178.

Sanderson, K.C. and W.C. Martin, Jr. 1974. Performance of woody ornamentals in municipal

compost medium under nine fertilizer regimes. HortScience 9(3):242–243.

Shanks, J.B. and F.R. Gouin. 1984. Compost suitability for greenhouse ornamental plants.

BioCycle 25(1):42–45.

Shiralipour, A., D.B. McConnell, and W.H. Smith. 1992. Uses and benefits of municipal solid

waste composts: a review and assessment. Biomass and Bioenergy 3(3–4):267–279.



© 2001 by CRC Press LLC



Ticknor, R.L., D.D. Hemphill Jr., and D.J. Flower. 1985. Growth response of Photinia and

Thuja and nutrient concentrations in tissues and potting medium as influenced by composted sewage sludge, peat, bark and sawdust in potting media. Journal of Environmental

Horticulture 3(4):176–180.

Tyler, R.W. 1996. Winning the Organics Game. American Society for Horticultural Science

Press, Alexandria, Virginia.

Wootton, R.D., F.R. Gouin, and F.C. Stark. 1981. Composted, digested sludge as a medium

for growing flowering annuals. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

106:46–49.



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CHAPTER



7



Compost Utilization in Landscapes

Ron Alexander



CONTENTS

I.

II.

III.

IV.



V.



Introduction

Why Do Landscapers Use Compost?

Why Don’t Landscapers Use Compost?

Using Compost as a Planting Medium Amendment in the Landscape

A. Soil Structure Considerations

B. Modification of pH

C. Fertility Effects

1. Improved Cation Exchange Capacity

2. Source of Plant Nutrients

3. Addition of Soluble Salts

D. Improved Soil Biology/Microbiology

E. Reduced Incidence of Soil-Borne Diseases

F.

Comparing Compost to Other Planting Media and Soil

Amendments

Compost Utilization in Various Landscape Situations

A. General Guidelines for Compost Application

1. Compost Descriptions

2. Compost Application Methods

B. Application Instructions for Specific Uses of Compost in

the Landscape

1. Garden Beds and Landscape Planters

2. Mulching

3. Planting Backfill Mixes

4. Turfgrass Establishment and Topdressing

5. Topsoil Blending



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6. Erosion Control

VI. Concluding Remarks

References



I. INTRODUCTION

Perhaps the greatest area of compost utilization in the U.S. is in landscape

applications. Although compost is used in large quantities by many other market

segments, most compost marketers would agree that landscapers are the largest

purchasers of compost in the U.S. Not only is professional landscape usage significant, but according to Organic Gardening magazine’s “Gardening in America II”

survey (Organic Gardening, 1995), 27 million Americans use compost for gardening

and landscape activities. No doubt, the trend of compost usage in landscapes will

continue to expand because of popularity in homeowner gardening and professional

landscaping applications.



II. WHY DO LANDSCAPERS USE COMPOST?

The primary reason compost is used in landscape applications is because it works,

and it works economically. Compost is the only amendment that can effectively

improve soil characteristics physically, chemically, and biologically (Alexander,

1996). Unlike other organic soil amendments, compost has the ability to positively

affect soil quality in a variety of ways. As the public’s understanding of factors

affecting soil quality continues to grow, and with the knowledge that most of the

soils used in landscape situations are less than ideal, more emphasis will be paid to

soil improvement and compost usage will continue to expand. Although many end

users will equate the benefit of compost use to lush green plant growth, caused by

plant-available nitrogen (N), the most important benefits of using compost are long

term and related to its rich content of organic matter (Alexander, 1995). Compost

is also used because its unique attributes make it an extremely versatile product,

beneficial in many landscape applications such as a soil amendment, media component, mulch, and turf topdressing. In most instances, compost is also less expensive

than high-quality peat products and competes favorably against decomposed bark

products. Composts are also considered renewable resources, which can be produced

without adverse effect on the environment. Today, many end users favor the use of

a more environmentally sustainable product, which is one reason why certain landscapers will not use peat moss or topsoil that has been harvested from farm fields.

Actually, compost production and utilization has been shown to be a great asset

towards a cleaner environment (Composting Council Research & Educational Foundation, 1997). Compost’s ability to bind heavy metals, making them less bioavailable, and to degrade certain organic pollutants, such as petroleum and pesticide



© 2001 by CRC Press LLC



residues, makes it quite beneficial to the environment (Composting Council Research

& Education Foundation, 1997). Also, like the bark mulch industry, the compost

industry utilizes an organic feedstock, once considered worthless (actually a liability)

and manufactures it into a high-quality product.

Another reason why compost has become so popular in landscape applications

is because of its ease of usage. When using a high-quality compost product, often

the need for immediate supplemental fertilization is eliminated, or at least minimized. The same can be said with pH adjustment in many areas of the country. Of

course, the addition of other plant and soil supplements will be based on soil and

compost characteristics and on plant requirements. For this reason, the purchase of

a consistently high-quality compost product is required. A description of a highquality compost is given in Table 7.1. After a year or more of operation, compost

producers should be able to accurately estimate the quantitative value of important

product characteristics, such as pH, soluble salt content, nutrient content, etc. and

provide them to their customers even though seasonal variations may occur. Therefore, tracking data related to compost pH, soluble salt content, nutrient content,

particle size, stability/maturity, pasteurization (for weed seed and plant and human

pathogen destruction) and perhaps, water-holding capacity are of primary importance

for plant growth and management of the growing system. Data related to product

bulk density, moisture, organic matter, and inert (foreign matter) content are important to other customers. Data related to the amount of trace elements, heavy metals,

pesticide residues, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the compost will also

be important to track, depending upon the feedstock of the compost product, the

product’s intended use, and state and federal regulations.



III. WHY DON’T LANDSCAPERS USE COMPOST?

The most prevalent reasons why landscapers don’t use compost are because they

have a misunderstanding of what compost actually is; compost is not readily available to them in a convenient form (could be bulk or bagged, depending on the

customer’s requirements); only poor-quality compost is available to them; they had

an unsatisfactory experience with compost in the past; or because they simply do

not believe in using any soil amendments. Some landscapers also claim to be satisfied

with the products they are currently using and thus are reluctant to change. A small

percentage still possess stigmas against compost produced out of specific feedstocks

(e.g., biosolids, municipal solid waste [MSW]), although very few will argue that

the products do not work. In almost all cases where landscapers are not currently

using compost, they would use it under specific circumstances if given the proper

education and guidance. Although landscapers may require proof that compost works

for them, educational efforts sponsored by national trade associations and industry

trade journals have illustrated many successful uses of compost in landscape applications. Once high-quality compost becomes more readily available, landscape use

is likely to increase.



© 2001 by CRC Press LLC