Improving Compost

Use through
Application Methods
R. Alexander, C. Wagner Dairy Compost Utilization

In the past, inefficient application methods have been a major barrier to the increasing use of compost in agriculture
and horticulture, but that barrier is rapidly fading. Not only is special equipment becoming available, but compost
producers and marketers often provide spreading services in combination with compost purchases.

Spreading equipment currently available varies in

size, cost, technique and purpose and the efficacy of
the compost application often depends on proper
equipment selection. Being more knowledgeable
of application equipment increases the value of
the compost purchase and allows a user to take full
advantage of the benefits of a compost material. The
specific application method and selection of equipment
compost depends upon several factors.

¾ Know the characteristics of the product. In large applications, the composted material is typically
Application equipment is specially designed to delivered to the application site in large trucks. Additional
handle excessively dry or moist products. Particle equipment is then often needed to load the compost into the unit
for application.
size is also important. Most equipment is designed
for products with consistent characteristics; thus, contaminants such as stones and sticks can efficacy.
¾ Know the conditions of the application area. Compost application equipment varies in size and spreading
capability. Therefore, accessibility and size of the application area is an important factor. Finally, the equipment
may be self propelled, tractor pulled or manually driven, which also affects equipment selection.
¾ Know the desired amount and rate of compost. For small projects, compost may be obtained in bags, but for
larger projects, compost may be obtained in bulk and transported to the site by truck. The desired rate is also
important as application equipment varies in ability to accurately apply very small or very large rates.
¾ Know about past experience or use of equipment. Some equipment used to apply compost today has not
been specifically designed with compost in mind. The majority of units was engineered to apply agricultural by-
products, such as manure, lime, fertilizer, mulch, or sand-based mixes and was modified to apply compost.

AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS
Two main types of compost applications in agriculture involve broadcast and row applications. For example, crops
such as coastal Bermuda grass typically require a broadcast application in which compost is applied topically over a
large area, yet specialty crops such as watermelons utilize row applications to concentrate compost in smaller, defined
areas.

PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The preparation of this report was financed through grants from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
 Improving Compost Use through Application Methods
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Broadcast applications such as flail, slinger and spinner-type units project the compost from the rear of the spreader
into the air. Flail units, which use paddles to broadcast the product from the rear of the unit, were developed to
apply products with a higher solids content and are able to apply wider strips in the application area. Slinger units
have a spinning drum with teeth that slings product
up to 200 feet. These units can handle materials with
higher moisture content such as ash, wet lime and
biosolids. Spinner units rely on centrifugal force to
project product from the rear of the unit. They work
best on drier, denser materials that are fine in texture.
Spinner units are typically used to apply compost in
agricultural applications and at application rates of
five to ten tons per acre or less.

Topdressing units for broadcast applications include

brush and cylinder-type units, in which a rotating,
cylindrical brush projects the compost down towards
the soil surface. Both broadcasting and topdressing
units have the ability to apply low (1/4 to ½ inch layer)
or high (1 inch layer) rates of compost. When rates
This broadcast application, utilizes a spinner unit, which projects of one inch or more are desired, piles of compost are
compost from the rear of the spreader at a calibrated rate of 10 strategically placed throughout the site and a grading
tons per acre. blade, York rake or front-end loader/bull-dozer blade
is used to spread the compost. While this method
may not provide an accurate application rate, it is typically more efficient as most large-scale compost spreading units
are not able to apply rates greater than 1 inch and thus would require multiple application trips through the field.

Moisture content and particle size of the compost is very important when broadcasting compost. For example, “box
spreaders” or modified agricultural spreaders (used for commercial fertilizer or lime applications) often have difficulty
spreading coarse or wet compost.

Row applications use both flail and slinger-type units, which can discharge compost from the side of the unit. Flail
units with a side discharge were developed to apply products possessing higher solids content in narrow strips, or
rows. Tractor trailers have even been fitted with flails to allow large volumes of compost to be spread. The most
common slinger unit also side discharges manure. It applies a thin layer of material between planting rows and can
apply compost to a depth of ½ to one inch over a raised nursery bed.

TURFGRASS APPLICATIONS
The best time to add organic matter in the form of compost to turfgrass is before planting or during establishment.
In such cases, compost can be added at higher rates and incorporated thoroughly into the soil. Once the turfgrass is
established, however, topdress applications of compost can be effective.

These topdress applications often use brush or beater drum/rotating cylinder-type units, which were designed to
apply sand-based mixes for golf courses and athletic fields. Brush units use a spinning bristled brush to project
 Improving Compost Use through Application Methods
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materials at the soil surface. These units can

handle product with a moisture content of over
50 percent, as well as somewhat coarse materials.
The units are typically used to apply a one-eighth
to one-half inch layer of compost, wood chips
or sand/compost blends. Beater drum/rotating
cylinder type units were designed to apply thicker
application rates of high bulk density (sand-
based) mixes over large open turf areas. The unit
is extremely versatile, having the ability to apply
a 1/64 to three-inch layer of various materials.
The unit is primarily used for golf course and Turfgrass application units, like this one shown above, are extremely
athletic field applications and may be fitted with versatile and can accurately apply compost at varying rates.
a finishing brush to break up product clumps and
project the material more uniformly onto the soil surface. Blower type units can also apply compost for topdressing,
however, obtaining accurate application rate with a blower type unit can sometimes be difficult.

SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS
Compost is often used as a mulch material to manage erodible soils, for decorative purposes or to provide organic
matter to vegetated beds. Such applications often require
special placement of compost around existing plants or release
of compost in inaccessible areas.

For erosion control berm applications, a pneumatic/blower

type unit works well in that it can apply materials precisely and
in inaccessible areas, using a hose of up to 300 feet in length.
Larger blower-type units have been used to propel the compost
up to 200 feet. This newly marketed technology was designed
for products with a particle size of two inches or under in
length and those possessing a moisture content of no more
than 40 to 45 percent. Since typical composts do not meet these
requirements, it is a common practice to combine compost with
wood chips, sawdust or other wood material to create a mulch-
type material. Larger capacity units (truck and trailer mounted
units have a 20 to 60 cubic yard capacity) can also reduce the
need to reload during application, which significantly improves
efficiency. In the instance when such large applications are
not required, applying the material by hand or with a basket
Smaller units like this pneumatic/blower, propel compost type spreader is appropriate. In addition to blower units, newer
through a wide hose which can be directed around plants
and other objects. It also works well when applying
slinger-type units have recently been fitted with devices that
compost to slopes and roadsides. allow them to create berms as well.

Roadside slope applications use slinger units to apply the material. These are usually larger, pull-behind and truck-
mounted units for use on highway and reclamation applications. These units can handle materials at higher moisture
content such as ash, wet lime and biosolids. They can treat steep slopes and sites where accessibility is limited.
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SELECTING AN APPLICATION METHOD

The key to efficient application of compost, as well as other products, is making sure the product being applied is
compatible with the equipment being utilized. If it is not, an alternate piece of equipment should be used or the
product’s qualities should be modified. This typically can be accomplished by screening the product or by drying it
to reduce its moisture content.

Finally, rely on the compost manufacturer and/or marketer as a resource for compost application services. Combining
the compost purchase with the application service may prove to be more economical. However, if application
services are not provided with your purchase, the compost producer will likely be able to direct you towards a business
or individual who can meet your application needs.

Similar to the unit equipped with a hose, this roadside application is also spread with the pneu-
matic/blower technology. However, in this application, the unit is equipped with a side blower
allowing for more coverage and mechanized application.

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