Figure 7. 



Compost is a slow release nutri- 

 ent source. Unlike chemical fertil- 

 izers which provide readily available 

 nutrients in the year ok application, 

 composts will continue to release nu- 

 trients over several growing seasons. 

 Composts also supply a wider array 

 ot macro and micronutrients com- 

 pared to most lawn fertilizers which 

 predominately supply nitrogen, phos- 

 phorus, and potassium. Most impor- 

 tantly, compost adds organic mat- 

 ter to the soil that favorably affects 

 many soil properties. Addition ot 

 compost, can improve soil structure, 

 soil aeration, water holding capacity. 



nutrient retention, and compaction 

 resistance. Reseeding and chemical 

 fertilizers will not improve these soil 

 properties. Also, there is significant 

 evidence that compost provides resis- 

 tance to turf diseases. If turf health 

 and production are the primary goal, 

 compost is a superior soil amend- 

 ment for overall soil health and en- 

 hancement of plant growth. When 

 all the benefits ot compost use are 

 considered, the cost and handling 

 advantages of other turf manage- 

 ment options may not be as attrac- 

 tive. The benefits to soil properties 

 and plant growth from compost use 



are difficult quantified. Consequent- 

 ly, Table 1 may not accurately reflect 

 the value of amending the soil with 

 compost. 



For more information contact the 

 New Hampshire Compost Associa- 

 tion, http://www.nhcompost.com/ 



Acknowledgements 



Thanks to following individuals/ 

 organizations that provided compost 

 for the demonstration: 



Dick Flanders, Commissioner, 

 Plymouth Water & Sewer District 



Eva Christensen, President, 

 Earthtenders 



John Kelley, New England 

 Organics 



Thanks to the following individuals 

 for getting their hands dirty: 



Dick Flanders 



John Kelly 



Ned Beecher (also, thanks for the 

 pictures) 



Marc Morgan 



Melanie Wheeler 



Kendall Perkins 



Table 2. Comparison of the Relative Benefits of Compost Versus Chemical Fertilizer 



SPRlNd 2004 



21 



