What is City of Penticton Compost?
City of Penticton Compost is the end product of Penticton's innovative biosolids recycling program - it is a safe, effective, environmentally-friendly, abundant, and affordable compost product that's ideal for use in top dressing, landscaping, on vegetable gardens, and as potting soil.

What are Biosolids? Biosolids are the organic byproducts of wastewater treatment.They contain the macro-nutrients and organic matter needed to replenish the soil and retain moisture.Biosolids also contain smaller amount of the micro-nutrients not found in most commonly-used commercial fertilizers.

Is This Compost Safe?

• Approved by B.C.’s Ministry of Environment for safe reuse as a high grade product.
• Complies with Federal Fertilizer Act
• Is viewed as completely safe from an environmental health aspect by local Ministry of Health officials.
  

The Ministry of Environment requires that Compost produced from Biosolids be tested for the following heavy metal concentrations.  Substance concentrations, expressed in ug/g dry weight must not exceed the limits set out in the following table:

Ministry of Environment Standards from:

Ministry of Environment Organic Matter and Recycling Regulation 2000, Schedule 4, Quality Criteria.

Additional Information

Nitrogen - 5.81% Dry Weight

Ph - 6.3

How Do I use this Compost?

Flower Beds: Mix one to two inches of City of Penticton Compost with the top four to six inches of existing soil. Plant flowers or seeds and then water. Tubers and Bulbs: Prepare a mixture of one part City of Penticton Compost and three parts of existing soil. Surround bulb with a good handful of mixture and plant at recommended depth.

Roses: Prepare ground as you would flower beds. Plant rosebush in a mixture of one part City of Penticton Compost and three parts soil.

Vegetable Garden: For normal soil - Mix one inch of City of Penticton Compost with the top four inches of existing soil. Plant seeds as recommended. For heavy clay soil - Mix two inches of City of Penticton Compost with the top six inches of existing soil. Plant seeds as recommended.

Berries: Mix one to two inches of City of Penticton Compost with the top four to six inches of existing soil. Plant as recommended.

Evergreens: Dig a hole allowing twelve inches around the ball or root system. Plant in a mixture of one part City of Penticton Compost and three parts soil. Compact firmly and water.

New Lawns: Seeding - Cover existing ground with one to two inches of City of Penticton Compost. Rototill into a depth of six inches. Rake smooth and broadcast seeds as recommended. Use a roller to compact and then keep moist. Sodding - cover existing ground with one to two inches of City of Penticton Compost. Rototill into a depth of six inches. Rake smooth. Install new sod and keep moist.

Established Lawns: Spread 1/8 to 1/4 of City of Penticton Compost with a rake in late fall or early spring. Water after application. For optimum results, aerate before applying.

Why Use City of Penticton Compost?

PREVENTS EROSION PREVENTS DROUGHT CONTAINS NUTRIENTS STORES MINERALS NEUTRALIZES TOXINS IN THE SOIL EXTENDS THE GROWING SEASON STIMULATES PLANT GROWTH

Where Can I Get Penticton Compost?

Currently compost is available at the City of Penticton Compost Site located approximately 100 meters past the gate to the City Landfill site on Spiller Road.

Compost is available year round 8:30 am– 2:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

Compost Prices

• Per Garbage Bag $5.00  Taxes included
• Per Tonne (less than 5 tonnes) $40.00 per tonne Taxes included
• Per Tonne (greater than 5 tonnes)  $25.00 per tonne Taxes included

Testimonials

"High temperatures used in the treatment of Penticton compost kills pathogens and deactivates seeds. Penticton Compost complies with the most stringent Ministry requirements currently in effect.”

Tim Forty, P. Eng.
B.C. Ministry of Environment

We have been using Penticton Compost on all potted shrubs, roses, perennials, shade trees, and ornamentals. The compost promotes great root development, requires less water than other mixes and produces very healthy plants. Not only is it effective its very economical to use.”

Joe & Betty Meinzinger
Benchland Nursery

Penticton Compost has been used by the Summerland Ornamental Gardens since 1993. The product is economical and is an exceptionally good source of organic matter. It opens up heavy soils allowing better air and water movement. Lighter soils benefit from the water holding capacity of the compost. The compost is a wonderful resource for all ornamental gardens. I would highly recommend using this product.”

Brian Stretch, Gardens Manager
Agriculture & Agri-Food Pacific
Research Center – Summerland

We have been using our compost since the beginning. Our sports fields, ornamental gardens, and new plantings are planted or top-dressed with compost. All of our topsoil is a blend of compost and soil.”

John Penrice,
Parks Supervisor

Our goal is to provide a high quality, safe, effective,
environmentally friendly compost at an affordable price.

For more information on product, please contact:

• City Yards Office 490-2554

Complete Guide To Home Composting
(.PDF file - 6.23 MB)