Compost blankets are one of the most common means to secure the compost to the soil. The blankets are designed to be tough, durable, and easy to use. When properly employed, they can keep the compost in place and provide an effective erosion barrier. However, as many people do not have direct experience with such products, it can be difficult to understand at least at first how to employ them.
What follows are some of the more common issues and solutions associated with the use of compost blankets.
Problems
Keep in mind that compost should be used in areas that are subject to runoff which creates more erosion compared to land where runoff is not present. This will help you employ compost blankets in the right places.
No Diversion: If you place compost blankets in areas that are subject to concentrated flows of runoff without adequate diversion you will lose the compost and quite possibly the blanket as well. This is common issue mostly because it is based on a misunderstanding of what a compost blanket is supposed to do.
Too Thin: If the blanket is too thin, it will not provide the full protection that is needed. This means that you will need to overlap thin blankets or find thicker compost blankets to properly cover the area.
Compost is Too Fine: You should only use compost that meets CCME Class A standards. Compost that is below standards is often too fine which means it is subject to being removed during a rain or under windy conditions.
Solutions
By employing the right solutions from the start, you can help prevent the erosive elements from pulling away the compost blanket and leaving the soil unprotected.
Correct Compost: It all starts with having compost that meets the CCME Class A standards. Plus, it needs to be applied correctly with the proper thickness to work. A mixture of fine and coarse compost is usually the best as it has the weight to stay in place while still allowing for adequate water flow. Be sure to get the right analytical data of the compost to know what you are using.
Contact: The better the contact the RECP has with the soil, the more likely it can do its job even under harsh weather conditions. Proper inspection after completion will ensure that it is in full contact.
Proper Application: You should only use compost in areas where sheet flow occurs. This means that you will need to divert runoff away from the blankets if you want the compost to take hold. This may mean using different erosive control measures to keep excessive runoff from running over the compost blanket.
Combination of Seed Application & Compost Blanket: You should think of the compost, the blanket, and the seed it is protecting as one unit. By incorporating their uses, you can better protect the area from erosive elements while providing the soil with the nutrients needed to grow the grass and plants.
Proper use of compost blankets means that the compost is well-protected from the erosive elements. By keeping the compost in place, it helps keep the soil and grass in place over time. For protecting the land, especially after the soil has been exposed due to construction, compost blankets are an inexpensive, effective tool in the restoration process.
Tag: Sediment, Erosion, Control, blankets, compost
