Compost

New Uses for an Old Resource

More than a Home Remedy

While most people think of compost in terms of lawn and garden applications, it is quickly catching on as an excellent alternative for controlling soil erosion and water runoff from an erosion and sediment control standpoint.  The same material in the backyard gardens and the fertile soils of the prairie that is high in organic matter (compost), as a result retains moisture and holds soil in place. 

Strive for Five                                      compost blanket used in conjunction with a compost sock

'Strive for Five' is an ongoing campaign to help encourage the use of compost as a storm water management tool, and for erosion and sediment control in Iowa's 'urbanizing landscapes'. 

'Strive for Five' demonstrates that increased organic matter content (to 5% or greater) helps absorb and infiltrate more rainfall, with less runoff shed into surface water.  The result is reduced flooding and better water quality.

It takes as little as 2 inches of compost to increase the soil organic matter to a healthy and functioning five percent.  Increased soil organic matter content means less overall storm water to manage, as it is absorbed rather than allowed to run off the landscape.