- What Does Compost Do for Plants and Soil?<\/a><\/li>
- What Can Go Into Compost?<\/a><\/li>
- Where Can You Spread Compost?<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs About Compost<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What Does Compost Do for Plants and Soil?<\/h2>
![\"throwing](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/compost.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: ronstik<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> While compost is an excellent way to reduce waste from your kitchen and yard, it is more than just decomposed organic matter. This material, which looks like crumbly dark soil, is a powerhouse of nutrients, organic compounds, and beneficial microorganisms that improve your soil and support healthy plant growth. <\/em><\/p>
Benefits for Plants<\/h3>
- Provides slowly-released nutrients:<\/strong> Compost contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium<\/a>, along with calcium, magnesium, and iron. These nutrients are slowly released from the compost over time, providing a steady supply to plants.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Improves growth:<\/strong> Beneficial bacteria<\/a> and fungi in soil help improve root health, allowing the plant to take in nutrients and water better. Compost also contains humic acid and other organic compounds that promote growth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Reduces disease:<\/strong> Compost introduces beneficial microbes into the root zone that compete with harmful pathogens, creating a healthier growing environment.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Enhances stress resistance:<\/strong> Plants grown in compost-enriched soils are often more resilient to environmental stressors like drought and extreme temperatures. This is likely due to organic compounds acting as plant growth regulators, boosting defense mechanisms.<\/li> <\/ul>
Benefits for Soil<\/h3>
- Improves soil structure:<\/strong> Compost helps bind soil particles into clumps known as aggregates. This crumbly texture improves aeration and drainage<\/a>. In soils with a lot of clay, this aggregation helps prevent soil compaction<\/a>; in sandy soils<\/a>, it improves water retention.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Boost microbial activity:<\/strong> Compost introduces beneficial microorganisms that help break down organic matter, making nutrients more readily available to plants. These microbes also help create a healthy, thriving soil ecosystem.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Increases water retention:<\/strong> Compost absorbs water, improving soil\u2019s water-holding capacity. This increase in water retention helps plants endure periods of low rainfall or infrequent watering. <\/li> <\/ul>
According to the City of Ankeny, Iowa,<\/a> \u201cA hundred pounds of average soil (a 1×10-foot row tilled 6 inches deep) with a pound of compost mixed in will hold an additional 33 pounds (4 gallons) of water. Take the organic content to five pounds, and that hundred pounds of soil will hold nearly two hundred pounds (25 gallons) of water!\u201d<\/p>
- Reduces nutrient leaching:<\/strong> Compost is rich in organic matter, which has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC). A higher CEC means your soil can hold more nutrients<\/a>, reducing leaching potential.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Balances soil pH:<\/strong> Compost buffers changes in soil pH because of its organic matter content. It can also help neutralize acidic or alkaline soils, making them more suitable for plant growth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Reduces erosion:<\/strong> Compost helps prevent soil erosion<\/a> from wind and water runoff by improving soil structure and water retention.<\/li> <\/ul>
What Can Go Into Compost?<\/h2>
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/composting-illustration-update-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Four main things are needed for a successful compost pile: brown materials, green materials, water, and oxygen. Brown and green materials are the waste products from your home, yard, and garden, and they must be added in specific amounts to keep the carbon and nitrogen correctly balanced in the pile.<\/p>
The specifics on what you can put in your compost bin are a little more in-depth, but in general:<\/p>
- Brown materials are carbon-rich items that provide energy to the microorganisms in the pile and give compost its light, fluffy body. Typical brown items are wood-based or fibrous: dry leaves, branches, stems, sawdust, tree bark, shredded newspaper, corn stalks, wood ash, and pine needles<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Green materials are nitrogen-based waste materials that provide amino acids and proteins needed for bacteria and fungi to do their job. Excellent nitrogen-rich materials include food scraps, coffee grounds, green leaves, and grass clippings<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/em><\/strong>A simple rule of thumb is to keep the compost pile approximately 2\/3 \u201cbrown\u201d and 1\/3 \u201cgreen\u201d materials.<\/em><\/p>
Where Can You Spread Compost?<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-eva-bronzini-5503338-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> One of the great things about compost is that you can use it in many ways in your yard. You can spread it anywhere you have soil or are growing plants. <\/p>
- Gardens:<\/strong> Cover the bare soil with 2 to 4 inches of compost to improve water retention, promote healthy plant growth, and minimize soil loss from erosion.<\/li>
- Lawns:<\/strong> You can topdress<\/a> existing lawns by spreading a thin layer of compost over it or mix it into your soil before seeding<\/a> or laying sod<\/a>.<\/li>
- Around trees and shrubs:<\/strong> Spread a few inches of compost on the bare soil at the base of your trees and shrubs to improve water retention.<\/li>
- Pastures:<\/strong> Topdress pastures similar to lawns to improve soil health, structure, and water retention. It can also cut down on weed seed germination.<\/li>
- Hillsides:<\/strong> Add a layer of compost to sloped areas prone to erosion. The compost improves water infiltration (reducing runoff that causes erosion) and stabilizes soil.<\/li>
- Houseplants:<\/strong> Mix compost with your potting soil to create a rich, fertile growing medium. After planting, add a thin layer of compost to the top of the potting soil.<\/li> <\/ul>
My Tip: <\/em><\/strong>I\u2019ve found over the last 20-some years of gardening and planting flowerbeds, that if you are limited on what you can do \u2014 whether because of budget constraints or time \u2014 and want to improve your soil, the best thing to do is add compost. <\/em><\/p>
Some people often choose manure because the bags are cheaper, but it has drawbacks. First and foremost is you can\u2019t guarantee it has been aged properly. Manure that is still fairly fresh may contain harmful bacteria and pathogens, may be full of weed seeds, and depending upon the animal source, it may be high in nitrogen and potentially burn your plants.<\/p>
High-quality, \u201cfinished\u201d compost has been properly aged, offering the most benefits to your soil and plants. After it goes through the entire process, a cycle including high temperatures that naturally occur within the pile, the compost will be free of harmful pathogens\/bacteria and weed seeds. It also has a lower nitrogen content, so it won\u2019t damage your plants. <\/p>
FAQs About Compost<\/h2>
Can you apply too much compost to your garden?<\/strong>Yes, applying too much compost can have adverse effects and harm your plants. An abundance of compost can cause high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, disrupting growth. You\u2019ll see vigorous foliage growth versus fruiting \u2014 which is problematic in tomatoes, peppers, etc. \u2014 and the high phosphorus can impede the uptake of calcium, magnesium, and iron.<\/p> <\/div>
Can you grow plants in pure compost?<\/strong>While compost is helpful, you want to mix it with another growing medium (soil, potting soil, peat, etc.) for growing plants. Straight compost may be high in nitrogen and phosphorus but lacking in other essential nutrients. It also can create waterlogged conditions as it retains water too well. Plus, since it doesn\u2019t have the same structure as soil, it can become compacted when wet.<\/p> <\/div>
Is compost the same thing as manure?<\/strong>No, compost and manure are different, although they both can improve soil health. Compost results from the decomposition of organic material by microbes, earthworms, and other microorganisms. Manure is animal waste that has not been decomposed yet. It can help soil fertility and plant growth but must be carefully applied as it can be too intense or \u201chot\u201d if not appropriately aged.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Compost Can Help Your Yard, and So Can We<\/h2>
Compost is an excellent addition to your lawn, garden, flowerbeds, and landscaping, but it isn\u2019t a miracle cure. You still need to keep up with other proper maintenance. Reach out to LawnStarter<\/a>, and we\u2019ll put you in touch with a lawn care professional to help with your grass<\/a>, trees<\/a>, or landscaping<\/a>. A local pro can take care of the maintenance needed to keep everything looking its best.<\/p>
Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>
- Composting 101: How to Start Composting<\/a><\/li>
- How to Compost Grass Clippings (4 Methods)<\/a><\/li>
- How to Keep Pests Out of Your Compost Bin<\/li>
- 5 Best Compost Bins of 2025 [Reviews]<\/a><\/li>
- Dung Deal: Zoos Offer Animal Compost for Lawns, Gardens<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- Ohio State University Extension<\/a><\/li>
- City of Ankeny<\/a><\/li>
- Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
Main Image Credit: larisikstefania<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Compost is decomposed organic material, like leaves, grass clippings, scraps, and food waste, that enriches soil, boosts plant growth, and supports sustainable gardening.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":126924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,9],"class_list":["post-126913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landscaping","tag-landscaping-2","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/composting.jpeg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Shiffler","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/amanda-shiffler\/"},"yoast_head":"\n
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You\u2019ll see vigorous foliage growth versus fruiting \u2014 which is problematic in tomatoes, peppers, etc. \u2014 and the high phosphorus can impede the uptake of calcium, magnesium, and iron.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/what-is-compost\/#faq-question-1737669110451","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/what-is-compost\/#faq-question-1737669110451","name":"Can you grow plants in pure compost?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"While compost is helpful, you want to mix it with another growing medium (soil, potting soil, peat, etc.) for growing plants. Straight compost may be high in nitrogen and phosphorus but lacking in other essential nutrients. It also can create waterlogged conditions as it retains water too well. 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- How to Compost Grass Clippings (4 Methods)<\/a><\/li>
- Lawns:<\/strong> You can topdress<\/a> existing lawns by spreading a thin layer of compost over it or mix it into your soil before seeding<\/a> or laying sod<\/a>.<\/li>
- Green materials are nitrogen-based waste materials that provide amino acids and proteins needed for bacteria and fungi to do their job. Excellent nitrogen-rich materials include food scraps, coffee grounds, green leaves, and grass clippings<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Brown materials are carbon-rich items that provide energy to the microorganisms in the pile and give compost its light, fluffy body. Typical brown items are wood-based or fibrous: dry leaves, branches, stems, sawdust, tree bark, shredded newspaper, corn stalks, wood ash, and pine needles<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Reduces erosion:<\/strong> Compost helps prevent soil erosion<\/a> from wind and water runoff by improving soil structure and water retention.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Balances soil pH:<\/strong> Compost buffers changes in soil pH because of its organic matter content. It can also help neutralize acidic or alkaline soils, making them more suitable for plant growth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Reduces nutrient leaching:<\/strong> Compost is rich in organic matter, which has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC). A higher CEC means your soil can hold more nutrients<\/a>, reducing leaching potential.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Increases water retention:<\/strong> Compost absorbs water, improving soil\u2019s water-holding capacity. This increase in water retention helps plants endure periods of low rainfall or infrequent watering. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Boost microbial activity:<\/strong> Compost introduces beneficial microorganisms that help break down organic matter, making nutrients more readily available to plants. These microbes also help create a healthy, thriving soil ecosystem.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Improves soil structure:<\/strong> Compost helps bind soil particles into clumps known as aggregates. This crumbly texture improves aeration and drainage<\/a>. In soils with a lot of clay, this aggregation helps prevent soil compaction<\/a>; in sandy soils<\/a>, it improves water retention.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Enhances stress resistance:<\/strong> Plants grown in compost-enriched soils are often more resilient to environmental stressors like drought and extreme temperatures. This is likely due to organic compounds acting as plant growth regulators, boosting defense mechanisms.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Reduces disease:<\/strong> Compost introduces beneficial microbes into the root zone that compete with harmful pathogens, creating a healthier growing environment.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Improves growth:<\/strong> Beneficial bacteria<\/a> and fungi in soil help improve root health, allowing the plant to take in nutrients and water better. Compost also contains humic acid and other organic compounds that promote growth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- What Can Go Into Compost?<\/a><\/li>