Marianne's Response

Compost was really mulch in disguise

Hi there (no need to reply) –
I just wanted to let you know that the “compost” I bought (from somewhere local) was really mulch. This was the year we’d work on our yard, and we spread it everywhere, including the lawn. Our front lawn (in University Place) is kind of small and doesn’t actually go dormant like other grasses. I’ve fertilized maybe once every few years and added lime. I figured this year feeding it with the compost would be a good treat. But I noticed that the lawn DID NOT look as good this summer, and I thought the compost looked too much like mulch and was actually smothering my lawn. I googled and found this webpage that explained mulch is sometimes sold as compost and that’s bad: https://mcgillcompost.com/blog/compost-products-and-use/topsoil-mulch-compost-difference#toggle-id-3
So, I’m thatching my lawn, raking, and using the vacuum function on my leaf blower to get all of that picked up so I can start all over again! My friend recommended Walrath Supply. I’m hesitant to use Tagro.

Posted by crff on September 9, 2019

Marianne's Response

So sorry for your poor experience. I have heard of companies using the word compost for plain old wood chips or bark but most reputable companies will sell compost that looks like chocolate cake or dark, decomposed plant parts not just wood chips. I think getting a local recommendation is a good idea and I have heard good things about Walrath supply but never used their compost. I do not think you need to vacuum up the mulch. It will decompose itself in a year or so and help hold moisture. To start over you can just aerate, add topsoil and reseed on top of the old lawn. New seed likes topsoil rather than compost. If your lawn is new and you do not need to reseed but just want to thicken up the lawn then a very thin layer of compost less than one half inch deep is best used in the spring. Aerating is important for lawn renovation in the fall as the dry summer can compact the soil. Feeding the lawn in the fall and adding lime to your acid soil are also good ways to improve an old lawn. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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