Biggest Problems with Desert Compost

Why call it desert compost? Isn't it just compost? Yes and No. Composting under desert conditions adds a different dimension to composting compared to composting in milder climates.

When composted soil becomes super dry it can be difficult to re-wet in a raised bed even though appearances indicate the soil was flooded or totally wet.

There are two major problems when buying compost in the desert. Both of these problems are interrelated and they have a lot to do with the desert environment. The two major problems are the tendency for desert compost to become super dry and then becomes hard to wet (hydrophobic). And because it is hard to re-wet, the second problem becomes a major concern. This is the level of salts in the compost or its salinity can be much higher than acceptable levels in compost originating from wetter, cooler climates.
Compost, particularly compost with biosolids, is frequently recommended as an inexpensive substitute for peat moss. Peat moss and compost have some similar physical characteristics. But they are not similar in regard to their chemical composition. Peat moss has very little to offer plants nutritionally other than the characteristics of opening the soil for better aeration and drainage. It also retains water once it becomes wet which can be important in some soil mixes.

Our desert climate can get super hot and dry. This can lead to the evaporation of water from pans of half an inch or more per day in the middle of summer. Trying to keep finished compost that is curing, moist, is a challenge.

Water can be expensive in desert climates. This can add alot of expense to compost that is being stockpiled and sold. To reduce expenses, reuse water could be used as a substitute for potable water but the residual salts in reuse water make it difficult to lower salts by leaching it.

One method of removing salts from hydrophobic soils is to add a soil wetting agent to the soil or soil mix. These products lower the "surface tension" of applied water and help water to re-wet the soil mix. Adding soil wetting agents reduces the resistance of the soil to applied water AND, in turn, helps lower salinity due to improved wetting and water movement through the soil itself.

Viragrow has three products currently available to do that. Come in and explore the differences in these products and decide for yourself which one is best for your situation.