Compost Use Guidelines and Specifications for...

CONTAINER MIX AND POTTING SOIL

The Cornell Waste Management Institute had no part in the development of these guidelines nor does it endorse any of the recommendations obtained from third party entities. This information is intended to provide generalized information about compost products and should not be interpreted in any other manner.

 

Physical Properties      
Density (lbs/ft^3)
12 - 43
n/a
27 - 37
Organic Matter (%)
30 - 80
n/a
50 - 60
C:N Ratio
20 - 50
n/a
n/a
Solids (%)
15 - 65
n/a
n/a
Particle Size (in.)
n/a
n/a
n/a
Foreign Matter
n/a
n/a
n/a
Chemical Properties
pH
5.5 - 7.0
4.5 - 7.5
5.5 - 8.0
Soluble Salts (mmhos)
0.5 - 3.0
0.0 - 5.5
<3.0
Maturity*
7+
n/a
HS
Nutrients
Total Nitrogen (% TKN)
0.5 - 2.0
n/a
n/a
Metals
Copper (ppm)
<350
n/a
<1500
Iron (ppm)
<12000
n/a
n/a
Zinc (ppm)
100 - 2800
n/a
<2800
Arsenic (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<41
Cadmium (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<39
Chromium (ppm)
n/a
n/a
n/a
Mercury (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<17
Manganese (ppm)
<1000
n/a
n/a
Molybdenum (ppm)
n/a
n/a
n/a
Nickel (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<420
Lead (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<300
Selenium (ppm)
n/a
n/a
<100
 
*MS = Moderately Stable, S = Stable, HS = Highly Stable; Rodale 8 = Highly Mature, 7 = Well Matured, 6 = curing, 5 = Ready for Curing, <5 = Active Composting

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