Applications: Turf Management
Compost has been used successfully for many years in the establishment, maintenance and renovation of turf. A variety of residential, commercial, industrial and sports turf applications exist for the use of compost.
The use of compost as a means to improve soil characteristics, will allow for more extensive rooting and quick establishment of a variety of grass species.
Compost is primarily used as a soil amendment in this application, but may also be used as a seeding media in applications such as top dressing.
Compost can also be used as a means of supplying slow released nutrients (especially nitrogen), which are often costly to turf managers, since both warm and cool season turf varieties require a substantial amount of fertilisation.
Compost is an excellent treatment in sandy and heavy, clay soils.
Uses of compost for Turf Management
- Turf establishment
- Turf renovation
- Turf topdressing (or topdressing component)
- Turf divot media (or divot component)
- Seed germination media
- Organic fertiliser (nitrogen, iron)
Benefits for Turf Management
- Product versatility
- Weed-free
- Few consistent soil amendments available for turf applications
- Few inexpensive turf topdressings are available
- Rich in plant nutrients, allowing for a reduction in fertilisation
- Supplies nitrogen over a 3yr period
- Cation exchange capacity of compost helps soils retain nutrients
- Allows for faster turf growth and extensive rooting
- Can help reduce compaction and the bulk density of heavy (fine textured) soils
- Can help moisture retention in light (sandy) soils
- Disease suppression of various turf diseases
See also: Technical Information on Turf Management
