when to spread compost over yard

[Smallaxe]

Originally Posted by Kiril

And that would put you about 50 degrees over the maximum recommended temp.

A finished compost will not be "hot".

Exactly... thank you... people are applying raw compost out there.

Will raw compost - Do a soil good?

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by Smallaxe

Will raw compost - Do a soil good?

It won't necessarily do a soil bad, depends on the source material and how you plan in using it. Organic mulches (ex. wood chips) is essentially uncomposted material, yet it is used all the time out here without problems.

[E.L.Co]

Originally Posted by Kiril

And that would put you about 50 degrees over the maximum recommended temp.

A finished compost will not be "hot".

please define finished compost... one place sells it here its loaded by cu yard into my trailer and i apply it by wheel barrow and rake and water it immediately, thats how its done here in san antone

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by E.L.Co

please define finished compost

Briefly, one that you can no longer distinguish the source material, and is done "cooking".

[E.L.Co]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Briefly, one that you can no longer distinguish the source material, and is done "cooking".

ah understood indeed, texas is so hot though 50 yd piles have no choice but to build up heat. And as the only supplier locally no ones the wiser in my part of town, even me. thats why i pitch areation and composting, mulching etc.. round oct-nov. also keeps me busy up to christmas

[cpt87gn]

e.l co we get our at fertile garden on 1604 and culebra thay have good products

[E.L.Co]

Originally Posted by cpt87gn

e.l co we get our at fertile garden on 1604 and culebra thay have good products

i go to gardenville off starcrest or by bracken gun range, its closer

[JDUtah]

Originally Posted by cpt87gn

when the best time of year to spread Compost - Manure over my yard im in san antonio texas will do it anygood now

I would use EC to measure salt content to determine if the compost is too "hot" to apply in the heat.

As far as when you will get the most benefit from it... well it takes 10 to 20 years for the compost to release all of it's nutrients. In other words you really don't have to have as much of a "what when" mindset. The compost is generally insoluble which means, excluding erosion, it will sit there until it is released.

If you have time and can apply it now, go for it. It will only help (assuming the EC isn't too high). Note: we don't get rainstorms like you do.

[americanlawn]

I did not know that spreading compost on the surface would provide any benefit whatsoever. I always thought it needed to be incorporated into the soil profile to do any good. Am I missing something? Thanks.

[phasthound]

Originally Posted by americanlawn

I did not know that spreading compost on the surface would provide any benefit whatsoever. I always thought it needed to be incorporated into the soil profile to do any good. Am I missing something? Thanks.

Yes you are.
Probably the best thing you can do for a lawn is aerate, power seed and top dress with good compost. Adding organic matter helps in so many ways.