Information

Learning Centre

At Fundy Compost we are here to help you get the best growth you can. Learn about soil biology and compost, read our FAQ’s and find useful information below.

LEARN ABOUT SOIL

SOIL ORGANICS

Soil Organic Matter (SOM)

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Organic matter is essential in a healthy productive soil. Here are some of the benefits of organic matter in soil.

Promotes growth – it acts as a storage area for soil nitrogen. As organic matter is mineralized, it releases nitrogen as nitrate and ammonium which can be taken up by the roots and used by the plants for growth.

Promotes drainage – SOM cements primary soil particles such as sand, silt and clay into stable secondary aggregates. This makes it easier for roots to penetrate, and water to drain.

Increases scarce nutrients – SOM also acts as storage for many other nutrients such as Phosphorous, Boron, Sulphur, and Molybdenum.

Increases nutrient retention – SOM helps to retain nutrients by increasing the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), the capacity of a soil for ion exchange of cations between the soil and the soil solution. CEC is used as a measure of fertility, nutrient retention capacity, and the capacity to protect groundwater from cation contamination.

Raising SOM requires a long period of time and massive additions of organic matter. In order to raise SOM by 1%, an application of 1″ inch depth is necessary.

SOIL NUTRITION

Compost for flowerbeds in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Compost for flowerbeds in Halifax, Nova Scotia

All About Soil Nutrition

Healthy soil contains six essential macro nutrients and eight essential micro nutrients. The macro nutrients, in order of importance, are: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulphur (S). The micro nutrients, in order of importance, are: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Cobalt (Co), and Chlorine (Cl).

Compost provides the perfect soil nutrition, as it supplies ALL the macro and micro nutrients. Other organic matter sources such as peat provide very few micro-nutrients and commercial fertilizers only provide a number of these.

Plants have different nutrient requirements and tolerances. For vegetable crops, most composts with a Nitrogen (N) content of 0.5-1% will supply the required nutrition if applied between 1/8″ to 1/4″ depth. This works well in established gardens. In newly established gardens on disturbed soil, an initial application of 1-2″ of compost is recommended.

We will be happy to supply you with composition analysis of our composts and topsoils, so you can compare our products’ high nutrient to commercial brands. This can also dispel some of the common misconceptions created by deceiving packaging.

SOIL pH

hydrangea

What is Soil pH?

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity/alkalinity of your soil. Plants vary in their need and tolerance of soil pH.

Low pH or acidic soil – Generally vegetable gardens, lawns and flower gardens thrive at a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If a soil pH level falls below 5.7, lime should be added. In our Atlantic soils, the pH is naturally acidic and will not need to be brought down, instead it usually has to be brought up.

High pH or base/alkali soil – Some plants do require a low pH. In order to keep its blue colour, for example, blue spruce needs a soil pH below 5.0. Since adding compost generally increases soil pH, it should not be added to blue spruce. Instead, add spruce bark mulch, which has a pH of less than 4.0.

ORGANICS PROCESSING

Fundy Compost can deal with a wide variety of organic materials, including but not limited to, municipal source separated organics, bio-solids, animal manures, fish meal, waste animal feeds and yard waste.
Our Facility is licensed by the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment.

TIPPING FEES
A tipping fee is charged for any material brought to the facility. The tipping fee varies with the source of the material. There is no charge for clean horse manure. Fees are F.O.B. our yard at 1332 Pleasant Valley Road, Brookfield, Nova Scotia (6 km from Exit 12 off Highway 102).

WINDROW COMPOSTING
We compost these materials in large windrows to produce a stable product we wholesale and retail to gardeners and landscapers.
See the composting process

To Order Now - Call 902-673-3020

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm
(in May & June Open on Saturdays from 9:00am - 2:00pm)
As always, open on Victoria Day weekend from 9:00am - 5:00pm all weekend.
Watch your local flyers for this years special

NS Fruit Growers Association
Landscape NS
AL Canada
Compost Council of Canada
Compost Quality Alliance
NS Grape Growers Association

1332 Pleasant Valley Road, Brookfield, Nova Scotia

Hours of Operation

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm

(in May & June Open on Saturdays from 9:00am - 2:00pm)

Watch your local flyers for this years special!

(902)673-3020