Purchasing Compost & Mulch

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where Can I Get Additional Information Regarding Compost and Mulch Use Guidelines?
• Where Can I Get More Information on Testing?
• Where Can I Find Suppliers of Compost and Mulch?

Where Can I Get Additional Information Regarding Compost and Mulch Use Guidelines?

The CIWMB is currently developing a series of fact sheets to provide guidance to potential end users about application techniques and rates for compost and mulch for specified end uses in landscaping. This information will be posted on our Organics Outlook Web site as it becomes available.

A guidance fact sheet, Compost: Matching Performance Needs with Product Characteristics (Pub. #443-00-005), for assessing compost quality is now available on the Web, or you can call 1-800-CA-WASTE for a hard copy.

In addition, the United States Composting Council (USCC) publishes a "Field Guide to Compost Use" that also provides instructions for compost and mulch uses. The CIWMB has a limited number available at no cost; for a copy please call (916) 255-2708. You can also contact USCC at:

 Need More Information on Testing?

To obtain a Solvita test kit, please contact:

Where Can I Find Suppliers of Compost and Mulch?

The Board maintains a list of compost suppliers on this site. Or call (916) 255-2708 to request a hard copy of the list.

Procurement Specification Guidelines

Last updated: August 29, 2008