Black Gold Compost from Smith’s Otter River Farm

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The Ultimate Garden Compost

Black Gold Compost from Smith’s Otter River Farm

… brought to you from the same cows that produce award-winning Smith’s Farmstead Cheese

Use as a Landscape Mulch

Evenly apply compost at a rate of 135-400 cubic yards per acre (a 1-3 inch layer) or 3-9 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet. Carefully apply the compost around the base of trees, shrubs and other plants, avoiding the placement of mulch directly against the plant’s trunk or stem, to avoid potential disease and insect damage. The use of stable, nutrient-rich compost may reduce or eliminate the need for fertilizer application during the first twelve months following compost application. To improve weed control, plastic mulches, landscape fabric, or newspaper may be applied prior to mulching.

Upgrading Marginal Soils

Evenly apply compost at a rate of 135-400 cubic yards per acre (a 1-3 inch layer). Application rate will vary depending upon soil conditions, climate, compost characteristics, and crop species to be established. Incorporate compost to a depth of approximately 6 inches, resulting in a compost inclusion rate of 20-50% by volume, using a rototiller, rotovator, plow or disc until the compost is uniformly mixed. Pre-plant fertilizers or pH adjusting agents (e.g., lime or sulfur) may be applied before compost incorporation, as necessary. The use of stable, nutrient-rich compost may reduce or eliminate pre-plant fertilization.

Turf Establishment & Lawn Top Dressing

Evenly apply compost at a rate of 135-270 cubic yards per acre (a 1-2 inch layer) or 3-6 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet. Application rates will vary depending upon soil conditions, climate, compost characteristics, and turf species to be established. Incorporate the compost to a depth of 5-7 inches, resulting in a compost inclusion rate of 20-30% by volume, using a rototiller, rotovator or disc until the compost is uniformly mixed. As a lawn top dressing, evenly apply one quarter inch of compost in the Spring and Fall.

Plant Bed Establishment & Vegetable Production

Evenly apply compost in a 1-2 inch layer or 3-6 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet. Use less with salt-sensitive plant species such as geraniums. Watch compost pH levels if used with acid-loving plants such as azaleas. Incorporate compost to a depth of 6-8 inches, either mechanically or by hand. For vegetable production, evenly apply compost in a 1-2 inch layer, incorporating the compost to an approximate depth of 6 inches.

Compost Use Estimator

Cubic Yards of Compost Required to Cover 1,000 Square Feet

0.25 inch layer – Approximately 0.75 cubic yards

0.5 inch layer – Approximately 1.5 cubic yards

1 inch layer – Approximately 3.0 cubic yards

1.5 inch layer – Approximately 4.5 cubic yards

2 inch layer – Approximately 6.0 cubic yards

2.5 inch layer – Approximately 7.5 cubic yards

3 inch layer – Approximately 9.0 cubic yards

3.5 inch layer – Approximately 10.5 cubic yards

Calculate How Many Cubic Yards of Compost are Required to Cover a Specific Area …

Area (square feet):	Depth (inches):	Compost Required:

Current Prices

Cow Manure: Recommended for flower and vegetable gardens (may produce more weeds)
Composted Cow Manure: Recommended for lawns, flower and vegetable gardens, and landscaping (fewer weeds, no smell). Composted cow manure also contains short paper fiber and sand. May contain yard waste and sawdust.
Screened Farm Loam: Great for lawns and landscaping.
All prices are effective May 1, 2013.

Delivered Prices
Otter River, Baldwinville	Gardner, Winchendon, Templeton	Westminster, Philipston, Hubbardston, Ashburnham, Royalston
Manure 6 yards – $90.00 8 yards – $112.00	Manure 6 yards – $114.00 8 yards – $136.00	Manure 6 yards – $124.00 8 yards – $146.00
Composted Cow Manure 6 yards – $156.00 8 yards – $200.00	Composted Cow Manure 6 yards – $173.00 8 yards – $217.00	Composted Cow Manure 6 yards – $190.00 8 yards – $234.00
Screened Farm Loam 6 yards – $126.00 8 yards – $160.00	Screened Farm Loam 6 yards – $143.00 8 yards – $177.00	Screened Farm Loam 6 yards – $160.00 8 yards – $194.00
At the Farm Prices Use these prices if you are able to provide your own trucking or to calculate total costs if you are outside of our local delivery area, adding $48.00 per hour for trucking.
Manure $11.00 per yard	Composted Cow Manure $22.00 per yard	Garden Blend $52.00 per yard
Screened Farm Loam $19.00 per yard	Screened Farm Loam $17.00 per yard (2 or more)	Composted Mulch $52.00 per yard
Bagged Composted Cow Manure at the Farm Our Composted Cow Manure is also available in easy to handle and easy to transport bags. Bags contain approximately 40 lbs. and may be purchased directly at our farm. 27 bags equal 1 yard. $3.00 per bag or 3 bags for $8.00 Rolls of 200 Red Bags: $90.00 per roll
1 Yard Totes at the Farm You may also purchase Otter River Black Gold or Garden Blend in our reusable 1 yard totes. 1 Yard Tote w/ Otter River Black Gold: $25.00, plus $20.00 deposit 1 Yard Tote w/ Garden Blend: $55.00, plus $20.00 deposit
Garden Soxx The Garden Soxx is a simple alternative to a traditional raised bed garden. It is 2 ft. in length and contains Otter River Farm Garden Blend, a mix of Aged Hemlock, Otter River Farm Black Gold Compost and Dehydrated Chicken Manure. It is ready to use, will grow anything, and will last for 2 growing seasons. Click here to download our Garden Soxx planting guide (PDF). Price: $10.00 each / $9.00 each if you buy 8 or more

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Black Gold Compost
from Smith’s Otter River Farm
20 Otter River Road
Winchendon, Massachusetts 01475
(978) 939-5738