A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 composting to fill in land?

Will compost ever become close to the consistency of topsoil?

I have some low spots in my yard, that have either washed out from erosion (problem fixed now) or displaced by a backhoe (used to fix problem) and have wayyyy too much other stuff to spend money on to fix this place up, so I can't get topsoil hauled in right now.

As an alternative solution, I started piling up my fallen branches or big limbs and stuff along a fenceline that needs t be built up, and grass clippings in smaller areas that are just a dip in the ground that needs to be leveled out.

Am I on the right track, or do you think topsoil is the only solution to filling it in? I mean, I'm talking about areas that won't be planted...just open space areas that might or might not be walked on.

I hope that makes sense...for a change

Thanks

well you know how your compost pile shrinks at certain times of the decomposing process right? expect the same thing with your low spots so pile the debrie high.

both of you are on the right track. if you put newspapers or cardboard in the mix, it will reduce the amount of shrinkage. but, layered composting works well for filling in low spots (i've learned that "the hard way" while i am "fixing" my driveway.) i've put newspapers, dirt, and hay and it is working well!

coolio! I've got PLENTY of cardboard and, well, I can get straw Thanks!

That is GREAT to know THANKS.

I also have alot of low spots that need filling at our new home.

Just remember that compost is very nutritious
and will attrack alot of worms to that area,
which then turn around and eat up that glorious compost and make that lower spot even lower
and possible even looser????? ????
If you know what I mean??

My idea would be to, if you're eyeballin' a new spot for a garden, is to take out/dig that dirt,
and shove it in the low spot *that dirt is alot more solid~er* and then put the compost and cardboard on the newly dug area for a new garden,
then you'd taken out alot of the established weeds and roots from those plants that you want to keep out of your new bed..

Make any sense??

ahhh ha...that make total sense! Thank you for spelling that out. I will be making many flower gardens along with my new big veggie garden. So I should have lots of dirt.

Thanks Weezie

but... to add one thing to what weezie said. in my driveway, the worms don't come because we drive on it alot... 3 cars coming and going every day...

That does make a bunch of sense. I've been moving types of dirt around too. Isn't that weird. Gravel to the mud puddles. The silt in with the compost. The clay to the front of the tiers and stuff like that. So what you said Weezie makes total sense. Thank you.