Definition

  
   

Compost:

Compost is organic matter undergoing or resulting from a heat-fermentation process. This process is stimulated by bacterial activity and may result in temperatures as high as 160 degrees in the center of a compost pile ( Campbell , 2001).

 

Soil Amendemnts:

A soil amendment is any material added to a soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. The goal is to provide a better environment for root development and plant health. Amending a soil is not the same thing as mulching, although many types of mulch also are used as amendments.

 

Mulch:

Mulch is any material applied to the soil surface to retain moisture, insulate and stabilize the soil, protect plants, minimize weeds and create an attractive appearance.

Properly functioning mulch is typically

  1. •  light and open enough to permit the passage of water and air
  2. dense enough to inhibit or even choke weed growth ( Campbell, 2001).

 

  

Humus:

Humus is dark, rich, well –decomposed organic material. Eventually all compost and mulch becomes humus.