You might think that all compost is created equal, but the truth is, using a high-quality compost can make a significant difference in your garden’s success. By choosing the right compost, you can improve soil structure, increase aeration, and provide essential nutrients for your plants. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 compost and bagged compost options for gardening, including organic and natural choices that will give your plants the boost they need. But which ones made the cut?
Contents
Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost
If you’re a gardener seeking a high-quality, certified organic compost that meets the stringent standards of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost is an excellent choice for you.
This 7.9-gallon, 32-35-pound bag of compost is perfect for improving soil structure and aeration, promoting water retention, and adding organic matter and key nutrients to your garden.
You can trust that this compost meets the highest standards, as it’s certified by the OMRI and bears the US Composting Council’s ‘Seal of Approval’.
Whether you’re gardening organically, growing vegetables or flowers, or simply want to improve your lawn, this compost is suitable for a variety of applications.
Best For: Gardeners seeking a high-quality, certified organic compost for improving soil structure, promoting water retention, and adding organic matter and key nutrients to their gardens.
Pros:
- Meets the stringent standards of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and bears the US Composting Council’s ‘Seal of Approval’
- Improves soil structure and aeration, promotes water retention, and adds organic matter and key nutrients
- Suitable for a variety of applications, including organic gardening, vegetable and flower gardening, and lawn care
Cons:
- No cons mentioned in the product description or customer reviews
- No information provided on potential drawbacks or limitations of the product
- None mentioned
Composted Cow Manure 35 lb Bag
When you’re looking for a slow-release fertilizer that won’t burn your plants, the Composted Cow Manure 35 lb Bag is an excellent choice.
This product is specifically formulated to provide a balanced release of nutrients with a rate of 0.5-0.5-0.5, making it perfect for houseplants and other delicate vegetation.
Most customers have reported positive experiences with this product, citing its effectiveness in promoting healthy plant growth and bountiful harvests.
However, some reviewers have noted that the packaging can be fragile, leading to damaged bags and spills during shipping.
Despite this, the Composted Cow Manure 35 lb Bag remains a popular choice among gardeners, who appreciate its ease of use and impressive results.
Best For: Gardeners and houseplant owners looking for a slow-release fertilizer that promotes healthy plant growth and bountiful harvests.
Pros:
- Effective in promoting healthy plant growth and bountiful harvests
- Slow-release fertilizer that won’t burn plants
- Easy to use and suitable for houseplants and delicate vegetation
Cons:
- Packaging can be fragile, leading to damaged bags and spills during shipping
- Some reviewers found the product to be overpriced
- Occasional issues with damaged packaging upon arrival
Natural Choice Compost
For gardeners seeking a high-quality potting soil, Natural Choice Compost is an excellent option, boasting a 4.7-star rating and rave reviews from satisfied customers.
You’ll be impressed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback, with customers praising its texture and ability to mix well into the soil.
As a Dr. Earth product, you can trust that it’s made with high-quality ingredients that will benefit your plants.
The compost itself weighs 33.7 pounds and comes in a compact 5 x 18 x 25-inch package, making it easy to store and transport.
With its impressive ratings and customer testimonials, Natural Choice Compost is definitely worth considering for your gardening needs.
Best For: Gardeners seeking high-quality potting soil for their plants.
Pros:
- Boasts a 4.7-star rating and rave reviews from satisfied customers
- Has a good texture and mixes well into the soil
- Made with high-quality ingredients that benefit plants
Cons:
- May be difficult to find in local stores
- Not specified if it’s suitable for specific types of plants
- No information on whether it’s organic or environmentally friendly
Garden Magic Compost and Manure
With its odor-free blend of natural organic reed sedge peat and composted animal manure, Garden Magic Compost and Manure is the best choice for gardeners seeking a natural nutrient-rich soil amendment that improves a wide range of planting soils.
You’ll appreciate its naturally moist and fibrous texture, which enriches your soil without any unpleasant smells.
This 40-pound bag is a great value, and its natural nutrient content will give your plants the boost they need.
With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,000 customer reviews, you can trust that this product will deliver results.
As a top-seller in the garden soil category, you can’t go wrong with Garden Magic Compost and Manure.
Best For: Gardeners seeking a natural nutrient-rich soil amendment that improves a wide range of planting soils.
Pros:
- Provides natural nutrient content to enrich soil
- Odor-free blend of natural organic reed sedge peat and composted animal manure
- Naturally moist and fibrous texture
Cons:
- No specific information about the exact nutrient content
- May not be suitable for very large gardens due to 40-pound bag size
- No information about the duration of the product’s effectiveness
Super Compost with Mycorrhizal Fungi
If you’re seeking a powerhouse compost that turbocharges your plants’ growth, stop searching with Super Compost with Mycorrhizal Fungi, which packs a concentrated punch with its 2-2-2 NPK formula and added Mycorrhizae for explosive root growth.
This OMRI-listed, odor-free, and non-GMO compost is certified organic and AVA recommended, making it a top choice for gardeners.
With its high calcium content for plant strength and iron for greening, your plants will thrive.
The added Mycorrhizae will help explode your plants’ root mass, and the concentrated formula means you get 40 pounds of compost from just 8 pounds of product.
Best For: Gardeners seeking a high-quality, organic compost to promote plant growth and root development.
Pros:
- Certified organic and OMRI-listed, making it a top choice for gardeners
- Concentrated formula provides 40 pounds of compost from just 8 pounds of product
- Added Mycorrhizae promotes explosive root growth and plant strength
Cons:
- Some customers have reported receiving damaged or underweight bags
- Product can be expensive
- May cause mushrooms to grow in planters if not used properly
Factors to Consider When Choosing Compost and Bagged Compost for Gardening
When selecting compost for your garden, you’ll want to verify several key factors to guarantee you’re getting a high-quality product.
You’re not just looking for any compost, but one that meets your specific gardening needs.
You’ll need to think about things like organic certification, nutrient content, and soil structure considerations, among other factors, to make an informed decision.
Organic Certification Matters
You need to weigh the importance of organic certification when selecting a compost product for your garden.
This certification guarantees that the compost meets strict organic standards, verifying the absence of synthetic additives and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Look for the OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) seal of approval, which indicates that the compost has undergone rigorous testing for purity, safety, and environmental sustainability.
This third-party verification by OMRI or the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) provides assurance of the compost’s quality and composition.
Certified organic compost products are made from natural, non-synthetic materials and are free of contaminants, weed seeds, and pathogens, providing a safe and healthy growing environment.
When choosing a compost product, make sure to check for OMRI or STA certification, which confirms compliance with national organic standards and regulations.
Nutrient Content Counts
Your garden’s nutritional needs are as unique as your thumbprint, and the right compost can make all the difference in plant performance, so you must carefully examine the nutrient content of any compost product before bringing it home.
When evaluating compost products, look for balanced NPK ratios, such as 0.5-0.5-0.5, which provide slow-release fertilizer benefits for your plants.
If you’re after stronger plant growth and structure, consider organic composts with high calcium content, like 2-2-2 NPK.
The presence of mycorrhizal fungi in compost can also facilitate explosive root growth in your plants.
Additionally, compost with iron can enhance plant greening and overall health.
Don’t forget to check for OMRI certification, which confirms the product meets organic growing standards, providing a safe and natural nutrient source for your plants.
Soil Structure Considerations
Compost’s ability to improve soil structure is just as essential to plant growth as its nutrient content, and by understanding how it affects soil’s water retention, aeration, and overall health, you can choose the right compost for your garden’s specific needs.
When choosing a compost, consider how it will impact your soil’s structure. For example, if you have clay soil, look for a compost that’s high in organic matter, which will help break up the clay and improve drainage. On the other hand, if you have sandy soil, a compost with more bulk will help retain moisture and reduce nutrient leaching.
A mix of green and brown materials in your compost will provide a diverse range of nutrients and microorganisms, leading to a more porous and well-draining soil structure.
The rate of compost decomposition and its impact on soil structure can also be influenced by factors such as carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, moisture levels, and oxygen availability. By understanding these factors, you can select a compost that will effectively improve your soil’s structure, leading to better plant growth and reduced erosion.
Pathogen and Weed Control
When selecting a compost or bagged compost for gardening, it’s essential to think about the pathogen and weed control measures in place to guarantee a safe and effective product.
You want to confirm the compost you choose is free from harmful pathogens and weed seeds that can contaminate your soil and harm your plants.
Look for products that meet the US Composting Council’s ‘Seal of Approval’ and OMRI requirements, which involve rigorous testing for pathogens and weed seeds.
Proper composting techniques, like those used by reputable manufacturers, can kill off pathogens and weed seeds, producing a safe and effective compost for gardening applications.
Monitoring for trace metals, unwanted pathogens, and compost maturity is key in preventing contamination and ensuring a high-quality compost product.
Remember, improperly composted materials can harbor harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can harm humans, animals, and plants.
Compost Maturity Levels
As you evaluate different compost products for your garden, considering the maturity level of the compost is essential, since it directly impacts the quality and safety of the final product.
Compost maturity levels refer to the stage of decomposition, ranging from immature to mature. Immature compost is characterized by strong odors, high temperatures, and high microbial activity, while mature compost has an earthy aroma, darker color, and crumbly texture.
For gardening, you want to opt for mature or cured compost, indicating the decomposition process is complete, and the compost is stable and safe to use.
To evaluate compost maturity, you can use methods like temperature monitoring, oxygen uptake, and CO2 evolution, as well as visual and olfactory assessments.
Factors influencing compost maturity include carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, moisture levels, oxygen availability, and microbial populations. These factors can impact the speed and quality of the decomposition process.
Bag Size and Weight Options
You’ll need to weigh the bag size and weight options that best fit your gardening needs.
Bags of compost can range in weight from a mere 0.279 ounces to a whopping 40 pounds, offering various size options for different gardening needs.
For instance, a 7.9-gallon bag of compost can weigh around 32-35 pounds, providing a substantial amount of material for larger gardening projects.
However, if you have a smaller garden or indoor plants, smaller bags like the 5 x 18 x 25 inches option, weighing around 33.7 pounds, might be more manageable.
On the other hand, larger bags like the 20 x 16 x 4 inches option can hold up to 35 pounds of compost, making them ideal for bigger gardens or commercial use.
When choosing a bag size, consider the size of your garden, the amount of compost needed, and your ability to lift and transport the bag.
Manufacturer Quality Control
To guarantee you get high-quality compost that’s safe for your garden, look for manufacturers that prioritize quality control, rigorously monitoring their products for trace metals, unwanted pathogens, and compost maturity.
This verifies you get a safe and weed-seed-free product.
A reputable manufacturer should have a DNR-permitted facility and a proprietary composting technique, like Blue Ribbon Organics, to maintain consistent quality.
Regular testing of the compost is vital to guarantee it meets standards, such as the US Composting Council’s ‘Seal of Approval’ and OMRI certification.
A manufacturer’s warranty and feedback mechanism can provide an added layer of assurance for customers.
Look for manufacturers that have perfected their composting techniques over time, such as Blue Ribbon Organics, which has been doing so since 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make My Own Compost at Home Instead of Buying It?
You can definitely make your own compost at home, saving money and reducing waste. Collect kitchen scraps, leaves, and yard trimmings, and let them break down into a nutrient-rich soil amendment tailored to your garden’s needs.
How Long Does It Take for Bagged Compost to Expire or Go Bad?
You’re wondering how long bagged compost lasts. Typically, it remains usable for 6-12 months when stored properly in a cool, dry place. After that, its nutrient content starts to degrade, affecting its effectiveness in your garden.
Is Compost Safe to Use Around Pets and Children?
As you tenderly nurture life in your garden, you wonder: is compost safe around your precious pets and little ones? Rest assured, compost is non-toxic and won’t harm them, so you can garden with peace of mind.
Can I Use Compost for Indoor Plants and Houseplants?
You can definitely use compost for your indoor plants and houseplants, as it provides essential nutrients for healthy growth. Just be sure to mix it with potting soil or use a compost tea to avoid over-fertilizing.
Will Adding Compost to My Soil Attract Pests or Rodents?
As you imagine your lush indoor oasis, you wonder if adding compost will invite unwanted guests. Fear not, as compost-rich soil is less likely to attract pests or rodents, and will instead foster a thriving ecosystem that’s pest-repellent.
Conclusion
You’ve made it to the end of our compost countdown!
As you gear up for gardening success, remember that using high-quality compost can boost your harvest by up to 20% (according to the National Gardening Association).
With these top picks, you’ll be well on your way to nurturing thriving plants and a bountiful harvest.
