A project of the Washington Organic Recycling Council, with 
support from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s 
Public Participation Grant program.
This product was partly funded through a grant from the 
Washington Department of Ecology. While these materials 
were reviewed for grant consistency, this does not necessarily 
constitute endorsement by the department.
Special thanks: the original version of this brochure in 2003 
was created by the Washington County, Oregon Solid Waste and 
Recycling Program in cooperation with the Washington Organic 
Recycling Council and the Composting Council of Oregon.
Tips to Remember:
•	 Don’t	 put	plants	into	100%	compost.		Mix								 	
	 	 compost	 thoroughly	into	existing	soil	before		 	
	 	 planting.
•	 When	 transplanting,	it’s	better	to	amend	the		 	
	 	 whole	 bed,	not	just	planting	holes,	to	promote		 	
	 	 root	 growth.
•	 Ask	 your	compost	supplier	which	compost										
	 	 product	 is	best	for	your	intended	use.
•	 Use	 compost	at	the	recommended	application		 	
	 	 rate.
•	 To	 maintain	healthy	soil,	reapply	compost	or		 	
	 	 mulch	 every	1-2	years.
•	 Many	 composts	are	rich	in	plant	nutrients,	so		 	
	 	 you	 may	be	able	to	reduce	fertilizer	use	after		 	
	 	 applying	 compost.
•	 Compost 	can	also	reduce	your	lawn	and	garden’s		
	 	 summer	 irrigation	needs.
•	 Compost-amended	 soil	and	mulching	slow	run	 	
	 	 off,	 reduce	erosion,	and	break	down	pollutants.			
	 	 When	 you	use	compost,	you’re	helping	to									 	
	 	 protect	 our	precious	streams,	rivers,	lakes,	and			
	 	 marine	 waters.
original artwork provided by:
www.compostwashington.org www.ecy.wa.gov www.soilsforsalmon.org