Organic Compost

Compost is a mixture of decayed organic matter that is used for fertilizing and conditioning soil. Given enough time, all biodegradable material will oxidize to compost, but the best raw materials for composting are fruit, vegetables, garden waste, and animal manure. We use only horse manure to make our organic compost.

Our organic compost is approved for use on certified organic crops by the Organic Materials Review Institute according to the USDA National Organic Program Rule. OMRI Listed products may be used on operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program. To maintain OMRI approval of our organic compost, we maintain high temperatures (between 131-170º F) within our compost for at least three consecutive days during the composting process, which assures that pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli bacteria are reduced to safe levels.

Why Use Compost?

Since the beginning of life on earth, compost has been an essential part of creating and sustaining life. As living things grow and die, they leave behind organic matter that contains nutrients. These are broken down chemically by soil-dwelling microorganisms (bacteria, actinomycetes, protozoa, and fungi) and physically by insects, spiders, snails, slugs, and worms. From start to finish, the process is a harmonious cycle, constantly generating the potential for new, healthy plant and animal life by freeing nutrients that have been “trapped” in organic compounds.

Traditional farming and gardening, and now what is considered “organic” growing, are based on maintaining a healthy balance of the micro- and macro-organisms in the growing area. Fundamental to this is ensuring that there is the correct availability of water and nutrients for the plants and living organisms that are beneficial. Compost helps to provide this by:

Releasing nutrients from decomposing plants
Improving the soil structure, thus enabling soil to retain nutrients, moisture, and air for healthy plants
Controlling erosion through increased moisture-holding capacity of the soil
Balancing the pH of the soil which provides an ideal environment for beneficial bacteria, desired plants, and helpful decomposers such as earthworms
Stopping nutrient loss through leaching
Acting as a buffer against toxins in the soil
Controlling weeds by promoting the growth of beneficial plants

Science has confirmed what organic growers have concluded: plants grown in a completely organic system, using generous amounts of compost, are less likely to be attacked and damaged by insect populations.

Adding our high quality OMRI Listed organic compost to your soil will make your plants healthier and better able to withstand environmental hardships such as drought, disease, and insect predators. And for an extra beneficial organic growing medium, mix our OMRI Listed worm castings with our organic compost in a one-to-four ratio.

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