Garden Compost FAQs | Best Types, When to Use & How to Apply

Compost is every gardener’s best-kept secret, prized for its incredible ability to rejuvenate soil health. Whether you’re nurturing a garden, lawn or landscape, this nutrient-packed, all-natural material works wonders. It enriches poor soils, encourages robust plant growth and enhances fruit and vegetable yields—all without relying on chemical fertilizers.

With so many compost options available—and even the possibility of making your own—it’s natural to have questions. Which type is best for your garden? When should you apply compost? How much is too much?

That’s where Texas Native comes in. Our comprehensive guide to compost has all the answers!

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about this organic powerhouse, from how it works to how you can use it effectively. Explore our full range of high-quality compost products online, or find Texas Native Premium Landscape Products at a home improvement store near you. Contact us today and let’s transform your soil together!

What is Compost?

Topsoil, often considered the foundation of healthy soil, is composed primarily of decomposed organic matter like leaves, wood and pine needles. Over time—through the natural work of rain, wind, microorganisms and other environmental processes—this material breaks down into nutrient-rich soil. However, this process takes many years to complete.

Compost, on the other hand, is nature’s process on fast-forward. It’s created by accelerating the decomposition of organic matter, transforming it into nutrient-dense material within weeks or months instead of years.

Both topsoil and compost play vital roles in improving soil health, but understanding their differences helps you make the right choice for your gardening or landscaping needs.

At Texas Native, we take organic waste and turn it into garden gold. By using the natural power of the sun, time and microorganisms, we transform green waste into a dark, nutrient-dense compost.

The result? Healthier soil that supports vibrant lawns, flourishing gardens and thriving landscapes—all while staying environmentally friendly.

What is the Purpose of Compost?

Compost serves several important purposes in gardening and landscaping, making it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to cultivate healthy plants, trees, vegetable gardens and more. Reasons to use compost include:

Richer Soil

Compost, made through the same natural processes that form topsoil over years or decades, delivers essential nutrients to your garden or lawn. It enhances soil structure and boosts its richness, creating the perfect environment for healthy plant growth. Compost helps develop strong root systems, leading to more vigorous and resilient plants.

Better Water Retention

While rain helps your lawn and garden flourish, hot and dry conditions can quickly cause moisture to evaporate, leaving plants parched. Compost improves water retention by absorbing and holding moisture in the soil. This not only reduces the need for frequent watering but also ensures that water stays where it’s needed most—right at the root zone.

Improved Soil Aeration

Just like us, plants need air to thrive. Unfortunately, hard-packed or overly dense soils can limit airflow, stifling plant growth. When mixed into your existing soil, compost helps loosen and aerate it, creating the ideal environment for roots to access the air and water they need. This improved circulation promotes stronger, healthier root systems, leading to more vigorous plant growth.

Environmental Friendliness

By choosing 100% all-natural Texas Native compost over chemical fertilizers, you’re not only nurturing your lawn, garden or landscaping but also supporting the environment. Our compost is made from organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, transforming it into a sustainable solution for healthier soil and thriving plants.

How is Compost Made?

While home composting has become popular in recent years, it can be time consuming and smelly, requiring weeks or months of dedicated effort and special equipment like a store-bought or homemade composting tumbler. After all that work, you might wind up with less compost than you expected.

Purchasing Texas Native compost takes the time and hassle out of DIY compost. It's the easy way to get mounds of rich, garden-ready compost at affordable prices, without all the time, effort and backyard science it takes to create your own.

At Texas Native, we're committed to making compost from 100% organic materials, ensuring that our products are environmentally friendly, safe to use and great for your garden. Here is our process:

Collecting Raw Materials: The first step in creating Texas Native compost is gathering high-quality raw materials. We collect and recycle green waste, such as tree trimmings, grass clippings and other organic debris, to kickstart the decomposition process. In addition to green waste, we incorporate nutrient-rich poultry and horse manure into our compost products. These natural ingredients work together to create a powerful, organic soil amendment that enhances soil health and promotes vigorous plant growth.

Composting: During the composting process, beneficial microorganisms work hard to break down organic materials, generating temperatures of up to 140°F. This high heat is essential for two reasons. First, it accelerates the decomposition process, converting organic waste into rich, nutrient-dense compost much faster than it would occur naturally. Second, the elevated temperatures are vital for sanitizing the compost, as they effectively kill off harmful bacteria, weed seeds and pathogens. Our composting process guarantees that every batch is fully decomposed, resulting in a rich, fragrant and nutrient-dense product.

Quality Control: At Texas Native, we carefully monitor and control the composting environment to maintain these optimal conditions. This ensures that our compost not only breaks down efficiently but also remains safe for use in gardens, lawns and landscaping projects. The result is a high-quality, all-natural product that boosts soil health, improves plant growth and contributes to a more sustainable environment.

What Types of Compost Are Available?

Texas Native offers various compost products, each tailored to specific gardening needs. Understanding the differences between these compost types can help you choose the best option for you:

Texas Native Organic Compost: Our Texas Native Organic Compost is a carefully blended mix of soil, mulch fines, water and time, designed to enrich your garden and landscape. This nutrient-dense blend enhances soil fertility, increases organic matter and improves moisture retention, creating the perfect foundation for healthy plant growth. Ideal for use in gardens, new landscapes and planting beds, it promotes root development and improves soil structure over time, making it an excellent choice for sustainable gardening.

Texas Native Composted Manure: Our Texas Native Composted Manure is a nutrient-dense blend of loam, organic compost and turkey compost, designed to enrich soil and promote healthy plant growth. This nitrogen-rich formula serves as an excellent alternative to biosolids, offering a natural way to improve soil fertility, structure and moisture retention. Perfect for building new gardens, enhancing lawns or improving existing landscapes, this composted manure creates the ideal foundation for sustainable, thriving plants.

Texas Native Dillo Dirt: Our Texas Native Dillo Dirt compost, crafted by the City of Austin, is a premium soil conditioner approved for unrestricted use by both the USEPA and TCEQ as a Class A Exceptional Quality product. This nutrient-rich compost enhances soil fertility, increases organic matter and improves moisture retention, promoting healthy plant growth. Ideal for use in landscaping, lawns, flower beds and gardens, it supports sustainable gardening by enriching the soil and encouraging robust root development.

Looking to buy compost in Texas? Whether you need bulk or bagged material, Texas Native has you covered at prices to meet your budget. Visit the following links to learn more about buying Texas Native compost at any of our facilities in Hutto, Fort Worth or South Austin!

When Should I Add Compost to a Garden?

Think of compost like a good marinade for your soil. Just as a marinade needs time to soak into food, enriching its flavor and tenderness, compost needs time to blend into the soil, infusing it with essential nutrients. The longer it’s given to work, the better the results for your plants.

Here are some tips for when to add compost to a garden throughout the year:

Early Spring: For best results, apply Texas Native compost three to four weeks before planting. Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer over your garden beds or plots, then work it into the soil to a depth of 4 to 5 inches. Spring rains will help carry the nutrients deeper into the soil, setting the stage for a strong, healthy growing season.

Summer: As plants grow and develop leaves, flowers, fruits and vegetables, they continuously draw nutrients from the soil to fuel their production. To maximize your garden’s yield and achieve more abundant, high-quality produce, keep the nutrient supply steady. Once a month during the growing season, apply a few handfuls of compost around the base of fast-growing plants. This ensures they have the nourishment they need to thrive and keep delivering.

Fall: While Mother Nature winds down for the winter, your work isn’t quite done. After the busy seasons of spring planting and summer harvesting, apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost to your garden. Mix it in with other organic materials like dead plant stems, vines, straw or yard waste. Over the winter, these materials will continue to decompose, enriching the soil with nutrients and preparing your garden for a strong start next spring.

Have questions about when to use compost in a garden or lawn? Texas Native has been providing top-quality landscaping products since 1987. We know how to grow! We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!

How is Compost Used in a Garden?

Using compost effectively in your garden can dramatically improve soil health and plant growth. Here’s a few great reasons why you should apply compost:

Soil Enrichment: Struggling with poor soil? Skip the chemical fertilizers and opt for a natural solution. By incorporating Texas Native compost into your garden a few weeks before planting, you’ll enrich the soil with vital nutrients and set your plants up for success.

For new gardens or spring planting, simply mix a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost into the top 3 to 5 inches of your existing soil. It’s an easy, effective way to create the perfect foundation for healthy, thriving plants!

Feeding Plants: Give your vegetable plants the best start by adding a handful of compost to the bottom of each planting hole. This provides young seedlings with a rich, nutrient-packed foundation right at the root.

Once your plants are established, top-dress by loosely scattering a layer of compost around the base of each plant. This continuous supply of nutrients helps fuel faster growth and healthier, more productive plants throughout the season.

Promoting Moisture: Compost’s light, porous texture allows it to absorb and retain water, helping to prevent dry soil that can deprive your plants of the moisture they need to thrive. By mixing a layer of compost into your soil or spreading it around the base of your plants, you’ll lock in moisture right at the roots. This not only supports healthy growth but also reduces the need for frequent watering, saving you time and effort.

Increasing Yields: If you want your garden to produce abundantly, compost should be a regular part of your routine. Fast-growing vegetables like corn, squash and tomatoes thrive when they receive a consistent supply of nutrients. To boost yields and improve the quality of your harvest, apply a half-inch layer of compost around the base of each plant once a month during the growing season. With this steady nutrient supply, your plants will reward you with larger, more flavorful produce.

Contact Texas Native

Since 1987, Texas Native products have been helping gardeners grow healthier, more productive gardens and create stunning, lush lawns. Today, we proudly offer over 40 varieties of compost, mulch and soil products, available in more than 350 stores.

Ready to elevate your gardening game? Texas Native’s all-natural compost products provide the nutrient boost your plants need to thrive. Whether you’re looking for convenient bagged compost or bulk options, we’ve got everything you need to turn your garden into a powerhouse of growth.

Have questions about Texas Native products? Contact us today through our convenient online form, phone (512)259-7430 or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com.

From field to flower bed, Texas Native is your solution for stronger roots and bigger blooms!