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Does Compost Dirt Grow Grass?

Composting organic wastes at home is an environmentally sound method of processing most food leftovers and yard debris, according to the Colorado State University Extension. The end product of fully cured compost is a humus-like material, sometimes referred to as dirt or compost dirt, that provides a valuable soil amendment. Among finished compost's chief benefits are helping to provide good soil structure, introducing and maintaining populations of beneficial microorganisms and releasing plant nutrients slowly.

  1. Compost as Fertilizer for Grass

    • Compost is an excellent nutrient source for lawns when applied at the proper times and in the right proportions. Treat it as you would any other organic, slow-releasing fertilizer. Compost tends to be high in phosphorus, however, so test your lawn for phosphorus levels before applying. Phosphorus levels in the soil should meet the recommendations outlined for that particular grass seed; this information should be available on the seed packaging. When establishing a new lawn, organic material content should be between 3 and 5 percent; adding compost is also an efficient way of establishing this ratio.

    Compost as a Grass Seed Source

    • Fully cured compost does not usually contain viable seeds. The heat and microorganism activity necessary for composting kills most seeds and pathogens. Therefore, spreading compost in an area in the hopes of producing grass is not a reliable option, even if the original ingredients in the compost contained lots of grass clippings. Though some seeds may survive because of uneven heating or uneven mixing of the compost, most are destroyed in the degradation process.

    Identifying Cured Compost

    • Gardeners must be careful to apply only cured compost from their homemade compost piles to plants, including grass. Fully cured compost looks a lot like rich dirt. It is dark, crumbly, smells earthy and has no resemblance to its original ingredients. If the compost does not meet these immediate visual standards, it is not fully cured. Uncured compost should not be used in any soil mixes intended for plants, as it can contain high levels of compounds like ammonia, which can weaken or kill them.

    Compost Maturity Test

    • Even compost that looks fully cured might not be quite ready yet. Before applying compost to soil mixes, test its maturity to be sure it will be a benefit and not a detriment to the plants. Fill several small pots used for seedlings with the compost. Then place a radish seed in each one and lightly water. Radish seeds, if in the proper environment, sprout and grow quickly. If the compost is fully cured, at least 3/4 of the radish seeds will sprout within the next several days.

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Soil
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