INFORMATION

Compost Facts

TIPS FOR COMPOST USE

 

General soil improvement: spread a 10-20mm thick layer of compost (10-20 litres per square metre) across soil surface and incorporate to a depth of 50-100mm. 


TREES 

  • New native plantings: apply 10% of the volume of the planting hole (for a planting hole of 100 litres, apply 10 litres of compost) to the base of the planting hole and blend 50:50 with existing soil. Note that care must be taken with adding nutrients to native plants as some species are sensitive to increased phosphorus.
  • New fruit tree plantings: apply 20% of the volume of the planting hole (for a planting hole of 100 litres, apply 20 litres of compost) to the base of the planting hole and blend 50:50 with existing soil.

VEGGIE GARDENS 

  • Spread a 10-20mm (10-20 litres per square metre) thick layer of compost across soil surface and incorporate to a depth of 50-100mm, then water thoroughly before planting.
  • Ensure vegetables are planted according to their seasonality and provided with appropriate nutrition through species-specific fertilisers.

FLOWER BEDS

  • Spread a 10-20mm thick layer of compost (10-20 litres per square metre) across soil surface and incorporate to a depth of 50-100mm, then water thoroughly before planting.

     

BENEFITS

Compost

  • Fertilising effect.
  • Introduces quality carbon into the soil.
  • Improves soil moisture.
  • Improves water holding capacity for plants.
  • This in turn:
    • Increases the health and activity of soil microbial populations
    • Helps prevent plant disease
    • Mobilises nutrients for plants
    • Improves soil structure

 

HEALTH WARNING 

This product contains micro-organisms. 

  • Keep product moist when handling to avoid dust. Avoid breathing in compost dust or mists.
  • Wear a particulate mask if dusty.
  • These products have a low risk of containing sharp materials like glass - wear appropriate gloves and footwear as a precautionary measure.
  • Wash hands immediately after use.


Bega Valley Shire Council uses organics and food waste from green bins to produce high quality compost.
This fully pasteurised compost is suitable for all residential and commercial applications. 

Compost Disclaimer:

1.       Bega Valley Shire Council produces compost that must meet the NSW Environment Protection Authorities resource recovery Order and Exemption .  This Order & Exemption (The Compost Order 2016) ensures that the proper assessment and characterisation of waste that is intended for the application to land which has been managed in such a way to protect not only the environment and human health, but also to protecting the current and future uses of land on which the compost has been applied.

2.       Compost produced by Bega Valley Shire Council is made up of both green waste dropped off by the community at our Waste and Recycling Centres and the contents of your FOGO Kerbside Collection Service. Given these outside feedstock sources, the final product may contain glass, metal or plastics.