Late fall is a great time to topdress with compost. Call Agresource, at 800-313-3200, for special pricing.

This issue of Agresource’s e-newsletter shows some project highlights of 2009. These projects underscore the key role that compost plays in lowering costs for landscape maintenance, amending soil for new construction, and protecting the environment. Now more than ever, landscape professionals recognize that using compost not only helps guarantee good results, but also makes good economic sense. Additionally, many people have found that using compost fits well into their sustainable land care practices.

Devens Continues Cost-Cutting with Compost Topdressing Program

The Town of Devens, MA, is in its 10th year of topdressing with AGRESOIL COMPOST and has eliminated chemical applications entirely, saving approximately $60,000 per year in maintenance costs. In addition, water use for irrigation has been significantly reduced from what was originally 3 million gallons to less that 0.2 million gallons annually.

Mike Cabral, who is in charge of the program, is more than pleased with the savings, as well as the turfgrass performance. The picture shows a stark contrast between turfgrass below the paved area that has never received compost applications and the verdant playing field above the paved area that has received compost topdressing.

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Van Courtlandt Park Gets a Makeover

The Van Cortlandt Park’s Parade Grounds' history can be traced back centuries, originally as a principal settlement site for local Native Americans and continuing to serve as rich farmland well into the 19th century. When it became city property, the Parade Grounds were specifically set aside for the National Guard to practice military drills. At other times, the field was used for public recreation, continuing a trend begun by the land's former owner, Augustus Van Cortlandt.

Due to heavy use, the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grounds located in The Bronx, NY, had become severely compacted and in need of renovation. The New York City Park’s Department has for many years specified AGRESOIL COMPOST to repair such areas. The addition of 8,800 cubic yards of AGRESOIL COMPOST to the entire area provides organic matter, beneficial microbes, nutrients, relief from compaction, increased water holding capacity, and improved soil aeration. The image above shows an area of the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grounds spread with AGRESOIL COMPOST prior to it being incorporated into existing soil (photo credit: Stefanie Campolo).

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Bio-Filtration Media Helps Treat Stormwater Runoff

A stormwater treatment structure was designed by Baystate Environmental for a new plaza in Newtown, CT. Agresource made the filtration media to specification so that it will help reduce pollutants at the end of the parking lot and provide better protection for the local environment. The picture shows soil media in place prior to wetland plants being installed.

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