According to turf experts, topdressing your lawn with a thin layer of compost can improve your soil’s moisture-holding capacity, feed soil microbes, and add nutrients. However, they forget to tell you it is only effective if you choose a suitable compost. If you haven’t known how to choose the best compost for lawn and what is a suitable one, consider the following options and the rest in this article:
Here are the best composts for lawn you can buy in 2024:
- Odor-Free: Old Potters Organic Compost
- Compost & Manure: Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure
- Best For Water Retention Improvement: Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost
- Long-Lasting: Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer
- Best For New Lawns: Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost
- Liquid Compost: Prevegenics Liquid Compost
| 6 Best Composts For Lawn | ||
|---|---|---|
Odor-Free | Old Potters Organic Compost | |
Compost & Manure | Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure | |
Best For Water Retention Improvement | Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost | |
Long-Lasting | Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer | |
Best For New Lawns | Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost | |
Liquid Compost | Prevegenics Liquid Compost | |
Odor-Free: Old Potters Organic Compost
- Sturdy
- Rich in nutrition
- Easy to use
- Not lightweight enough for seedlings
If you make a compost bin at home, there is more or less an odor. It is because a part of the ingredients in this type of compost is decomposing kitchen scraps.
To avoid smelling this unpleasant odor, choose the Old Potters Organic Compost that is made of decomposed plant material, so it doesn’t come with an odor. Customers also said that this soil has many stones without leaving a smell.
In spite of the lack of odor, it has enough essential nutrients including nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and microbes.
| Old Potters Organic Compost Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 10 lbs |
Form | Powder |
Ingredients | Decomposed plant material |
Highlight Features | Presence of Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus |
You don’t have to withstand an unpleasant smell when using the Old Potters Organic Compost.
Compost & Manure: Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure
- Rich in nutrition
- Easy to spread
- Expensive
Compost is the combination of organic materials such as plant waste, coffee grounds, food scraps, and other organic yard grounds which are decomposed through a natural or chemical process. It can improve soil quality by encouraging healthy bacteria production, and bring other benefits, but leave a nice earthy smell.
Meanwhile, although the animal manure can improve soil health, increase microorganism, and support the growth of your lawn thanks to a high NPK ratio and other nutrients, not everyone can deal with smells of fresh manure.
If you want to have all the benefits of compost and manure, choose this product that is the combination of composted animal manure and natural organic reed sedge peat without having an unpleasant odor.
| Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 40 pounds |
Form | Powder |
Ingredients | Natural organic reed sedge peat and compost animal manure |
Highlight Features | Odor-free blend |
The Michigan Peat 5240 Garden Magic Compost and Manure provides you with benefits of compost and manure without leaving an unpleasant smell.
Best For Water Retention Improvement: Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost
- Effective
- Pleasant smell
- Easy to spread
- Pricey
If your lawn is in the trouble of retaining water, the Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost can improve the water retention.
It has worm castings. The humus in earthworm castings can increase the soil’s water retention and soil aeration. Besides, it can keep plant nutrients that usually leach away with water.
| Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 35 pounds |
Form | Powder |
Highlight Features | OMRI Certified |
Because of the worm casting ingredient, the Blue Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost brings many benefits, especially the water retention improvement.
Long-Lasting: Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer
- Odorless
- Easy to use
- Expensive
If you are looking for a long-term investment of soil improvement and the improvement of the lawn health, the Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer can meet your requirement.
Its organic matter is packed in microscopic clay particles, so it remains in the soil to increase the total organic matter longer.
| Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 8 pounds |
Form | Powder |
Ingredients | Fish Manure, Straw, High nutrient clay |
Coverage | 480 square feet coverage |
Highlight Features | Organic matter is bound to the microscopic clay particles Odorless |
The Fishnure Humus Compost Fish Manure Fertilizer can remain the organic matter in the soil for a long time.
Best For New Lawns: Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost
- Odorless
- Economical
- Easy to use
- Not popular
What is the best compost for a new lawn?
It should create favorable conditions for seeds to germinate. In this case, you can choose the Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost that is lightweight and well-drained enough so that the roots can easily enter the soil for germination.
| Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 Kilograms |
Form | Powder |
Highlight Features | 100% ORGANIC |
The Wakefield Biochar Premium Compost is a type of seed compost, so it works well for seedlings.
Liquid Compost: Prevegenics Liquid Compost
- Easy to measure
- Simple to use
- Smell-free
- Expensive
What are the benefits of a liquid compost?
Your lawn can absorb the liquid compost quicker, meaning that this type can provide your lawn with nutrients immediately.
It has a high amount of nutrients, working well for lawns that lack nutrition seriously.
If you want to add these advantages into your lawn, choose the Prevegenics Liquid Compost.
| Prevegenics Liquid Compost Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 32 fl. oz. |
Form | Liquid |
Highlight Features | Mobile microbes |
Among all products in this article, the Prevegenics Liquid Compost can offer more nutrients quickly.
How To Choose The Best Compost For Lawn?
What Are The Best Compost Ingredients For Your Lawn?
Normally, organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, food scraps, soil and minerals are good for lawns.
You should choose a product that is produced through a hot composting process because the high temperature can neutralize the weed seeds and pathogens in the compost.
What Are The Features Of A High-Quality Compost?
The high-quality compost for your lawn will have the following features:
- It appears with a rich and dark topsoil.
- Its texture is fine, lightweight, and crumbly.
- A high-quality compost for your lawn will have a pleasantly earthy smell without leaving a hint of sourness or sulfur.
- The pH range varies from 6.0 to 8.0 while the soluble salt concentration is under 6.
- The ratio of the carbon-to-nitrogen is under 30:1.
- Don't choose products that contain pesticide and herbicide residues with weed seeds, and big bits of partially decomposed matter.
Are You Looking For A Compost For Grass Seeds?
For grass seeds, consider a compost containing sand because its lighter structure allows seeds and young grasses to have a head start easier. For example, their delicate roots can be explored more straightforwardly.
In this case, choose a seed compost that is finer so that seeds can germinate conveniently and their roots can go into the growing medium. It is very difficult for newly emerging seedlings to enter an enormous block of heavy compost or a sizeable chunk of bark.
The seed compost has a low fertility with fewer nutrients because seeds just germinate and start to grow. They haven't needed a high level of nutrition for complete growth. Even some of them are inhibited by a high level of fertilizer.
Which Brands Make The Best Compost For Lawn?
Blue Ribbon Organics
Blue Ribbon Organics is a family-owned company that is operated by a father and a son. Both of them directly work with their customers, so they can easily satisfy their customers’ needs.
Their products are made from all-natural, organic materials, so they are high-quality and safe to farmers, gardeners, even first-time users.
What are the highlights of Blue Ribbon Organics products?
They are made from different types of food waste, so the final finish has more natural nutrients and a high level of nitrogen compared to yard-waste-only compost. The incorporated food waste plays an important role in retaining water, so their compost works well in hot months, which allows you to water less.
Their products don’t include weeds, so you don’t have to worry about the risk of weed seeds that are produced from an improper turning technique or incomplete maturation.
The programs of the Certified Organic (OMRI) and the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance certify and signify the superior quality of Blue Ribbon Organics products.
Who is the Blue Ribbon Organics compost brand for?
Their products are formulated for people who don’t want to have animal manure in their compost because their products are made from plant-based ingredients such as garden debris, cut firewood, vegetable waste, and fruit matter. Their composts work well for trees, shrubs, and landscaping beds, but they just maximize the effect when applied properly.
Charlie’s compost
Charlie’s compost brand that is based in Kentucky, is a popular brand in the compost category because it is used for many gardening applications. For example, you can use them indoors, outdoors, even in garden containers since they are made of purely organic ingredients.
Some of their ingredients include microbes, cornstalks, clays, forest products, straw, hay, and chicken manure. Normally, they are composted over many weeks before being produced.
You can apply Charlie’s Compost products for both poor and rich soils. However, use around 4 inches of compost to deal with poor soil. For rich soil, 1-2 inches of compost is high enough for an effective outcome.
Wakefield BioChar Premium Compost
This brand just produces organic composts that are based on untreated wood feedstock, bacteria, and natural fungi. All of the ingredients must be composted for five-six months to reach a 130-160° of internal temperature to complete the decomposition process. After that, it rests within one month for maturing and curing. You can use the Wakefield BioChar Premium Composts for both indoors and outdoors because they are odorless, child-friendly, and pet-friendly.
Their products work well for raised gardens, lawn seeding, shrubs, indoor gardens, trees, and vegetable gardens. In particular, you can use it for topdressing your lawn, indoor plants, and garden.
FAQs
Does compost make grass greener?
Yes. Compost is rich in nitrogen that plays an important role in making your grass greener.
When should I apply compost to my lawn?
Basically, you can apply compost to your lawn at any time as long as the ground isn't frozen. For a better result, topdress your lawn right after aerating it.
When overseedling your lawn is also a great time to topdress it with compost. Or you can improve the moisture retention and germination by applying compost and seeds at the same time.
Is compost better than fertilizer for lawn?
If you need a soil amendment, compost is better than fertilizer. The former can improve soil structure so that your soil can drain, aerate, and keep moisture better. Besides, its beneficial microorganisms and microbes can provide your lawn with nutrients to boost your plants' health and resist diseases.
Meanwhile, fertilizers just offer nutrients. You should choose chemical fertilizers, if your lawn needs a specific need of nutrients.
Moreover, fertilizers require you to use it properly. If not, overfeeding can burn your plants. Different plants require different NPK ratios. In case you provide them with what they don't need, your plants will grow improperly.
Compost is good to apply at any time to reach an excellent result without requiring you to measure and mix it carefully.
Can I put compost directly on my lawn?
Yes. You can put compost directly on your lawn to improve the soil quality, retain moisture, and add nutrients. However, test your soil first as long as it is acidic enough to support composting. The microorganisms in the compost require an acidic environment to thrive for breaking down organic matter. If not, the composting process will be less effective or works slower.
Can I put too much compost on my lawn?
No, because this can cause some health and environmental problems. Below are some specific examples:
- A high amount of a certain nutrient will inhibit the uptake of another nutrient. For instance, a high concentration of ammonium will inhibit the uptake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
- A high level of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium will increase soil alkalinity.
- Highly alkaline soil with a high pH leads to the deficiency of nutrients.
- Excessive compost increases the soluble salt, resulting in salt toxicity.
Conclusion
Why should you choose a compost for your lawn instead of a synthetic fertilizer?
This natural feeding way will be a safe choice if you want to add a lush and green lawn without spreading chemical fertilizers into an area where your kids and pets play every day. Although it releases nutrients slowly, its effect is long-lasting. Once you understand the importance of the best compost for lawn, make a decision now.
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
