Garden soil and compost

Learn what the latest research tells us about common compost or soil questions and how to put that knowledge into practice in your garden.

How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes

By Weston Miller and Jeremiah Mann

Compost is a soil amendment consisting of partially broken-down organic material. Use compost to improve soil for vegetable gardens, landscape areas and lawns. Learn how to apply the correct amount of compost and how to avoid common compost mistakes.

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Photo Credit: Markus Spiske - Unsplash.com (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Drought-tolerant landscape plants for western Oregon: site selection and preparation

Western Oregon gardens and landscapes can flourish without summer irrigation - when you choose the right plants. This series, based on decades of on-farm research, can provide some ideas and go-to plants to help create a ...

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Jul 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Why are my vegetable plants struggling?

Q: This is my first time growing vegetable plants and they seem to be stressed. I planted everything on May 19. The corn is yellowing, and small leaves are dying. The tomato plants have limp leaves and there’s some browning....

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Soil testing resources

Learn what you need to know to test your farm or garden soil.

Jun 2024 | Collection

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Latest News

Rhododendrons and azaleas need a strong acidic soil

The most effective way to correct an iron deficiency for these plants is to acidify the soil.

Jun 4, 2024 | News story

Add organic matter to improve garden soils

Good organic amendments for garden soils include wood by-products such as sawdust and bark mulch, rotted manure, grass or wheat straw and compost.

Feb 27, 2024 | News story

Slow, cool composting is the easy way

Cool, slow composting is an easy method for people who don’t have the time or desire to tend to a hot compost pile.

Oct 15, 2023 | News story

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Become a Master Gardener!

The Master Gardener™ program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. This program also facilitates the training of a highly educated group of volunteers, who extend sustainable gardening information to their communities through education and outreach programs.

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Compost Resources

Herbicide-Contaminated Compost and Soil Mix: What You Should Know — and What You Can Do About It

Compost and soil mix products sometimes contain herbicide residue. This residue can damage certain vegetable, fruit and flower crops. The residue likely comes from contaminated hay, grass clippings or manure. Watch ...

Weston Miller, Kaci Buhl | Feb 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Don’t worry, maggots help break down compost pile

Soldier fly larvae are voracious consumers of high nitrogen materials such as kitchen food scraps and manures, as they decay.

Kym Pokorny | Aug 19, 2022 | News story

Compost tumbler suggestions?

Q: Looking to buy one but would like your opinion for easiest use and quality if you have a preference.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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How to Collect a Soil Sample for Testing

In this video, Dennis Brown, OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Portland Metro Area, demonstrates how to take a soil sample in the garden. Video courtesy of Dennis Brown and Dave Meeker.

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Photo Credit: Dylan de Jonge - Unsplash.com (Cropped from original)

Soil Resources

How do I test my garden soil?

Learn why you should test your garden soil and the different kinds of tests to ask for. Resources include instructions for how to collect a soil sample for testing and a short video demonstration.

Brooke Edmunds | Apr 2021 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Understanding Soil Health and Biota for Farm and Garden

Like sunlight, water and air, soils are the foundation of life on Earth. Learn how soils link plants, the atmosphere, agriculture, food security, health, the economy and the environment.

Shikha Singh, Linda Brewer, Scott Lukas | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Like diamonds, clay soils are forever

Bark, manure, leaf mold and compost are among the organic amendments commonly used to improve clay soil.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 5, 2022 | News story

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Upcoming Events

Oct 12

Soils 101

10:00 am - 11:30 am Roseburg, OR

Oct 19

Free Compost Workshop

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Eugene, OR

Nov 2

Free Compost Workshop

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Eugene, OR

Nov 2

Worm Bin Composting Workshop

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Eugene, OR

Meet Our Experts

Erica Chernoh

Horticulture Assistant Professor of Practice, Commercial and Community Horticulture

Brooke Edmunds

Community Horticulture, Master Gardeners

Contact me about the Master Gardener Program or gardening questions from Marion or Polk counties

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Why are my vegetable plants struggling?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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