Important information on compost benefits and application, brought to you by Miegos.
Compost Benefits & Usage
Compost Benefits
- Provides minor and major elements needed for plant growth
- Increases the soil’s capacity to release nutrients that feed plants
- Helps balance soil acidity and improve stability
- Improves the effectiveness of both organic and chemical fertilizers
- Provides housing and food for beneficial micro-organisms, from bacteria to earthworms
- Helps resist plant diseases and insect pests
- Improves soil aeration through microorganism activity
- Binds toxic substances such as lead, reducing their availability to plants
- Rich in humic acid, which encourages fast, healthy plant growth and nutrient absorption
- Reduces reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- Retains water in the soil, reducing watering needs and saving money
- Rich in organic matter — the main driver of plant nutrition
In Sandy Soil
- Significantly improves water-holding capacity, up to 100x
- Helps keep fertilizer and nutrients in the root zone, preventing leaching into groundwater
- Humus in compost helps bind sandy soil particles together
In Clay Soil
- Improves drainage while maintaining water retention
- Forms better granular structure for aeration and drainage
- Keeps soil porous so air and water move freely
- Helps roots penetrate compacted soil
Before You Apply Compost
Compost gives the best results in: heavy or poorly-drained clay soils, sandy soils, soils low in carbon or nutrients, soils with low microorganism activity, hillside areas with fast drainage, and areas affected by tree roots or rain-fed agriculture.
Application Rates — Per Acre
| Crop | Clay (Normal Ag.) | Sandy (Normal Ag.) | Clay (Organic Ag.) | Sandy (Organic Ag.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Crops | 8 m³ | 12 m³ | 15 m³ | 25 m³ |
| Vegetables | 6 m³ | 12 m³ | 20 m³ | 30 m³ |
| Medical & Aromatic Plants | 6 m³ | 10 m³ | 16 m³ | 24 m³ |
Application Rates — Per Tree
- Citrus & Fruit trees: 10 kg (under 3 years old), 14 kg (older)
- Mango & Palms: 12 kg (under 3 years old), 20 kg (older)
- Bananas: 20–30 kg per planting hole
- Nurseries: mixed with soil and sand at a 2:5 ratio
- Landscapes: 6 kg per m² at planting, 2 kg per m² annually
- Decorative Plants: mixed with soil at 1:3, or with peat moss at 2:5 for potting (approx. 50g per kg of potting mix weight)
Greenhouse Application (Average 2-Qirat)
| Method | Clay Soil | Sandy Soil |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Organic Fertilization | 3 m³ per greenhouse | 6 m³ per greenhouse |
| Total Organic Fertilization | 10 m³ per greenhouse | 18 m³ per greenhouse |