Composting Frequently Asked Questions

What is compost?

Compost is a light weight relatively stable form of organic matter that reduces a soil's bulk density while increasing fertility. Compost can help replenish humus and soil nutrients.

What type of compost does NCF make?

NCF uses municipal biosolids, yard trimmings, and wood chips.

What is compost good for?

Adding compost to soils improves aeration and drainage of dense soils. Compost also increases a soil’s exchange capacity. Compost also increases the activity, populations, and diversity of soil microbes and the availability of trace elements over a wider range of pH’s. Compost is known to contain certain naturally occurring fungicides and other beneficial organisms that improve soil biology and suppress disease-causing organisms.

Can you use compost anywhere?

Compost made from biosolids does not have any restriction for use. The US EPA allows biosolid compost to be used for any application providing the compost meet specific testing guidelines for pathogen reduction and heavy metals.

How much compost do I use?

For specific details see application rate page. When using compost for the first time in a specific application, or when using a specific type or source of compost for the first time, the compost should be tested on a small area. A soil test is strongly suggested. It should be understood that all compost products, climatic conditions, and field situations are different and may require experts familiar with those specific field situations to make specific recommendations.

What does compost do to the soil?

Compost improves aeration and drainage and water-holding capacity. It can also add beneficial organisms that improve soil biology.

What does compost do for plants?

As compost decomposes, it releases chelates which holds on to minerals like copper, iron, zinc, etc. making them readily available to the plants.

Do I need to put it out every year?

Again take a soil sample each year to check on the conditions and recommendations of the experts.

How much compost can I get?

NCF sells its compost in bags and in bulk by the cubic yard. An average full size truck bed holds about two cubic yards, while the average small truck bed holds about one cubic yard. See our purchasing page for pricing and payment options.

How can I get in touch with NCF?

NCF is located on Texas Highway 79 approximately 8.5 miles south of the city of Jacksonville and approximately 16 miles north of the city of Palestine. The NCF phone number is: (903) 584-3415.

When is NCF open?

NCF is open to the general public Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
During the month of March NCF is also open to the public on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.