West Orange WEHI preliminary report

5 Mature yard trimmings compost amended with crumb rubber was incorporated into compacted soils at 13 different locations around the two golf courses. Many of the selected sites included areas adjacent to, or at the end of golf cart paths, on slopes surrounding greens, or in tee boxes. These sites were selected because of their susceptibility to compaction and erosion caused by heavy traffic and water runoff. The compost mixture was tilled into the soil to a depth of about 3 to 5 inches and then uniformly seeded. To act as a control, one of the plots was amended only with crumb rubber. In the first year of the pilot, course operators report- ed that healthy, green turf grass took hold at most of the sites, with no signs of compaction or erosion. Results were particularly impressive in eroded ditch- es along cart paths. The areas treated with the com- post mixture showed full growth of turf grasses and total abatement of erosion, whereas the plot amend- ed only with crumb rubber showed few signs of improvement. UUssiinngg CCoommppoosstt iinn LLaannddssccaappiinngg AAccttiivviittiieess upplies of high-quality, low-cost top- soil are declining, particularly in urban areas where the demand is greatest. Compost is, therefore, becoming partic- ularly important in applications requir- ing large amounts of topsoil. Increasingly, compost is being used as an alternative to natural topsoil in new construction, landscape renova- tions, and container gardens. Using compost in these types of applications is not only less expensive than purchasing topsoil, but it can often produce better results when trying to estab- lish a healthy vegetative cover. After a lawn or garden has been established, maintaining it can be a challenge for both home gardeners and commercial landscape contractors. While aeration, topdressing, and chemical fertil- izer applications are some of the techniques com- monly employed in landscaping applications, compost can be a successful alternative. When used as a topdressing, or periodically tilled into the soil, compost can stimulate plant growth, reduce pests and plant infestation, and improve soil structure. Compost is also an effective landscaping mulch. Placed over the roots of plants, compost mulch conserves water and stabilizes soil tem- peratures. In addition, compost mulch keeps plants healthy by controlling weeds, providing a slow release of

ch. Placed over the roots of plants, compost mulch conserves water and stabilizes soil tem- peratures. In addition, compost mulch keeps plants healthy by controlling weeds, providing a slow release of nutrients, and preventing soil loss through erosion. Landscapers and gardeners also use compost as mulch because its dark, rich color accents the vibrant colors of flowering plants. UUssiinngg aammeennddeedd ccoommppoosstt ccaann ssiiggnniiffiiccaannttllyy rreedduuccee tthhee ccoossttss aassssoocciiaatteedd wwiitthh ttuurrff mmaannaaggeemmeenntt.. S