What Is Loam Compost? A Simple Guide to Better Soil
So, what is loam compost? It is a rich soil blend made from equal parts loam and compost, mixed together to feed your soil and help your plants grow strong. At Southridge Farm & Nursery, we make our own loam compost by combining screened loam with nutrient-rich compost, then running it through a ½ inch screen. This gives you a soft, crumbly mix that spreads easily and lets roots grow through it with no trouble. Keep reading to learn what goes into loam compost, why it helps your yard, and how to use it the right way.
What Is Loam Compost Made Of?
Loam compost is a 50/50 mix of loam and compost. Loam is a soil type made of sand, silt, and clay, and it holds water and nutrients better than plain sand or clay alone. Compost is made from decayed leaves, wood, and other plant material, and it is full of nutrients that feed your soil. When we blend loam and compost together and screen it to ½ inch, we get a soft, even mix that is easy to spread by hand or by machine.
Why Use Loam Compost in Your Yard?
Loam compost helps your lawn and garden in more than one way at the same time. Plain loam gives your soil good structure, but it does not have many nutrients on its own. Plain compost is full of nutrients, but it does not always hold its shape well. Loam compost gives you both jobs done in one product, which saves you time and money. With over 50 years in the nursery business, we have seen this blend bring tired lawns and gardens back to life again and again.
- Restarts tired or bare lawns
- Fills in low or sunken spots in the yard
- Builds up raised garden beds
- Helps new grass seed take root after overseeding
Loam Compost vs. Plain Compost vs. Screened Loam
A lot of customers ask us how loam compost is different from plain compost or plain screened loam. Compost by itself feeds your soil with nutrients, but it breaks down fast and does not build much structure. Screened loam by itself gives your soil good structure, but it does not add many nutrients. Loam compost blends the two, so your soil gets fed and built up at the same time. If you want the full breakdown, our team has written more about it on the Southridge blog.
How to Use Loam Compost
Using loam compost is simple, even if you have never worked with soil before. Spread a layer one to two inches deep over your lawn before you overseed it. Mix it into a raised bed before you plant flowers or vegetables. You can also use it to fill in low spots so rain water stops pooling in your yard.
- Top-dress lawns before spreading grass seed
- Fill and level low or bare spots
- Mix into raised garden beds before planting
- Blend into new flower or vegetable beds
Where to Buy Loam Compost in Walpole, MA
You can buy loam compost right here at Southridge Farm & Nursery in Walpole, Massachusetts. Our loam compost costs $28.00 per cubic yard and is always in stock and ready to go. We screen and blend every batch ourselves, right on our own lot, so you always know what is in the bag or truck. You can order online for delivery or stop by our yard on South Street to see it and load it yourself.
The Bottom Line on Loam Compost
Loam compost is an easy, one-step way to feed your soil and fix problem spots in your yard. It blends the structure of loam with the nutrients of compost, so your lawn and garden get everything they need at once. Whether you are restarting a lawn, filling low spots, or building a raised bed, loam compost gets the job done right. Visit Southridge Farm & Nursery today or order online to get your loam compost delivered straight to your home.
