1.
HEALTHY SOIL
Prescriptions

2.
Human development has drained
the life out of many soils.

3.
Instead of a thick, loose layer
of topsoil, there’s only
compacted dirt, sand, or clay.

4.
This dead soil doesn’t hold water
or sustain plants or perform any
of the other functions a healthy
soil is supposed to do.

5.
Healthy soil is dark,
even-textured and
chock-full of beneficial
organisms.

6.
Healthy soil
will supply a
full range of
macro and
micronutrients
for balanced
plant nutrition,

7.
facilitate nutrient uptake
and degrade or bind
pollutants,

8.
hold moisture to significantly
reduce watering requirements
and stormwater runoff,

9.
and encourage beneficial
soil organisms.

10.
The secret to healthy soil
is maintaining organic
matter content at 5%,

11.
and the best way to add organic
matter is by using compost.

12.
Regular compost use is a
wellness program for soil.

13.
No other soil amendment or topical
application can offer as much in one
cost-effective product.

14.
Compost is a manufactured product.
JFE Compost manufacturing facility
Okeechobee, FL

15.
The process is based on nature’s
own system for recycling
biodegradable waste.

16.
Modern composting generates
enough heat to meet regulatory
time and temperature
requirements for what is
commonly termed
“self-pasteurization.”

17.
This heat kills weed
seeds and pathogens,

18.
producing a high-quality soil
amendment that’s safe for use
by anyone, anywhere.

19.
Compost restores health to poor
soil and keeps good soil
in peak condition
season after season.

20.
Its organic matter provides the right
environment for the organisms that
break down soil nutrients into
“digestable” food for plants,

21.
and acts as a
sponge to absorb
and hold more water.

22.
To get and keep
healthy soil:

23.
Incorporate 1-2” of compost into the top
4-8” of soil to rebuild, then top-dress each
year thereafter.
Healthy Soil Prescription #1
General use to improve poor soil

24.
Calculate compost application rate by
the square foot or by the acre using
the following organic matter charts:
Healthy Soil Prescription #2

25.
Organic matter chart – by the sq. ft.

26.
Organic matter chart – by the acre

27.
To keep good soil healthy, top-dress
with 1/8” to 2” and rake in, disk in or
core-aerate each planting season.
Healthy Soil
Prescription #3

28.
Instead of topdressing,
mulch with 1-2 inches
of compost in the fall
and let the worms work
it into the soil.
Healthy Soil Prescription #4

29.
• Add up to 30% compost to container
and bedding mixes.
• Substitute 1:1 for peat moss.
• Keep a thin layer of compost on top to
act as a mulch and replenish nutrients
during watering.
Healthy Soil Prescription #5

30.
Use a little compost each season
to replenish and sustain healthy soil.
One product | Many benefits | Superior results

31.
Visit www.mcgillcompost.com/resources to download/request a free
Healthy Soil Kit. It’s packed with articles, handouts, presentations and
sample specifications related to building healthy soil as a first step to
reducing erosion, polluted runoff and stormwater management
costs.
Are you a policymaker,
specification writer or green
industry professional?

32.
View more titles
about compost and
healthy soil here.
Production costs for this title were underwritten
by McGill. Its use is permitted for educational
purposes if presented in its entirety and without
editing or other alteration. ©McGill
Environmental Systems of N.C. Inc. Questions?
Call McGill HQ at 919-362-1161 or use a contact
form at www.mcgillcompost.com.