Press Release

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 18, 2005
3:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time

Contact: Susan Thoman, Business Development Director
206-832-3083 or e-mail susant@emeraldnw.com

 

FIGHT DROUGHT CONDITIONS WITH COMPOST

Compost plays a critical role in optimizing nature’s defense against drought conditions. Through good soil preparation and mulching, water holding capacity in lawns and gardens can be significantly increased.

Even in years without drought conditions, new landscaping is best installed during the cool of spring. This is more crucial in times of drought. When planting, amending soils with 2- 4 inches of compost and tilling to a depth of 6-12 inches will greatly improve the moisture holding characteristics of the soil, allowing plants to establish healthy, hearty root systems. Remember, any time compost is introduced into a landscape, an initial watering period is required. Topdressing with compost around existing plants will minimize evaporation and improve soil structure by bolstering the microbial activity. Additionally, applying compost teas (in proper dilution rates) will enhance soil aggregation. Aggregation allows for improved uptake of water in plants, creating a more natural, efficient and healthy soil system.

Cedar Grove recommends compost and compost-based products be used in place of synthetic fertilizers during drought conditions. Compost contains nutrients that are released over a slow, sustained time period. Landscapes in which synthetic fertilizers are used require more water than compost enriched landscapes. With potential drought conditions ahead, natural products such as compost can greatly enhance nature’s ability to withstand the region’s dry conditions.

Compost can be made in your own back yard, and is also available commercially throughout the region. Cedar Grove Composting, Inc. is made locally and distributed throughout Western Washington and in Portland, Oregon. For more information on compost products, please e-mail infocg@cedar-grove.com.

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