What to Use Where, and Why It Matters
At Deep Roots Project (DRP), we emphasize the power of high-quality compost and mulch in creating thriving food gardens and sustainable landscapes. But not all compost and mulch are created equal. In this post, we'll guide you through the best uses of DRP's microbe- and nutrient-rich compost and our dense leaf mulch, what to avoid, and how to find safe substitutes if you're gardening beyond our delivery zones.
DRP Compost: Microbe and Nutrient Powerhouse
Our compost is produced by an OMRI certified organics operation in northern Illinois. It is rich in beneficial microbes and nutrients, and is thermophilically composted with heat generating microbes to kill pathogens and weed seeds. It includes high-quality manure as a key ingredient.
This makes our compost ideal for:
• Vegetable gardens (raised beds or in-ground beds)
• Fruit trees and berry bushes
• Perennial herbs and edible flowers
• Soil restoration and improvement projects
Use 2" of compost as a top layer in food gardens each fall and/or spring, and mix it into new garden beds or landscape plantings for optimal microbial health and nutrient density.
Caution: Leaf Mulch Is Not for Food Gardens
Our dense leaf mulch is made from shredded leaves, which is allowed to age and compact. It retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and breaks down slowly, adding organic matter to the soil. However, do not use leaf mulch on food gardens. It can harbor fungal spores and does not provide the rich nutrient and microbe support that vegetables require.
Instead, use our leaf mulch for:
• Ornamental landscaping
• Native plant gardens
• Tree and shrub bases
• Pathways and ground cover areas
Using Chopped Straw as Mulch in Food Gardens
While DRP’s dense leaf mulch is not suitable for food beds, you can use clean, chopped straw as a mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds during the growing season.
Make sure to use straw, not hay—hay is loaded with weed seeds that can turn your garden into a weeding nightmare. Look for weed-free, pesticide-free straw that’s been chopped for easier handling and quicker breakdown.
How to Use:
• Wait until the soil has warmed up and seedlings are 4–6 inches tall.
• Gently spread a 2" layer of chopped straw around the base of your plants, leaving a bit of space around each stem to avoid rot.
• Straw mulch reduces evaporation, keeping roots cool and moist during summer heat.
Important End-of-Season Tip: At the end of the harvest, remove the old straw mulch—don’t mix it into the soil. DRP’s compost acts as a soil substitute, not a traditional top dressing, and it needs to stay clean. Letting straw break down into the top layer can interfere with the microbial balance and reduce the effectiveness of your compost for next year’s planting.
Want to keep your compost pure and powerful? Treat straw as a temporary garden helper—not a permanent soil amendment.
Substituting Compost Outside the DRP Region
If you live beyond the reach of DRP truck delivery, here’s how to find the next-best thing:
• Seek out municipal composts labeled as clean, organic, and thermophilic.
• Avoid composts that contain “biosolids” or "sewage sludge," often labeled under terms like: Municipal sludge, Wastewater solids, Residuals. These can contain harmful toxins and heavy metals that have no place in your garden.
• Deep Roots Customer support can help find a source of microbe and nutrient rich compost if you live beyond our delivery area.
• Enrich any municipal compost with top-quality worm castings to boost microbial life and provide balanced nutrition. Our customer support team will explain how to add the worm castings.
Match Plants to Soil Type: High vs. Low Nutrients
Some plants, particularly native and drought-tolerant species, actually prefer leaner soils with less nutrients. Here's a quick guide:
Landscape plants that prefer low-nutrient soils:
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea)
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Edible plants that prefer lower nutrient Ssoils:
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Radishes
• Oregano and thyme
Overfeeding these plants can result in excessive leaf growth, poor root development, or reduced flavor.
Conclusion: Right Inputs, Right Places
DRP compost and leaf mulch are powerful tools in your gardening and landscaping toolkit. Use our compost where nutrients and microbes matter most—in food production and plant establishment. Use our leaf mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression in ornamental and native plantings.
By choosing the right material for the right use, and avoiding harmful or inappropriate substitutes, you'll build a garden that flourishes naturally—whether you're in the DRP delivery area or beyond.
Join the Deep Roots movement
We’re not just about gardening; we’re about changing the way people grow food. Whether you have a tiny balcony or a full backyard, we’ll help you grow like a pro.
Stay in the loop: Signup for our email newsletter. If you also provide your phone number you will get text message updates that link to our best blog posts.
Get involved: Attend a free workshop, become a volunteer, grab a raised bed, or simply follow along for expert tips. Contact our support team any time you have a question at 708-655-5299 and support@deep-roots-project.org.
Learn. Share. Grow. Volunteer: We invite you to be a part of our sustainable movement right here in our own backyards! We want all our volunteers to have fun and learn while they contribute to expanding the Deep Roots community. We can customize a volunteer assignment to your time, interests and skills. Learn more on our Volunteer page
Dive Deeper
Click on the Blog Posts Below for more about our Innovative methods.
Beautify Your Garden with Our Cedar Raised Beds!
Our Deep Roots handcrafted cedar raised beds are designed to endure outdoors while adding a touch of style to your yard. As a bonus, they are the perfect depth to hold just the right amount of our nutrient-rich compost growing medium, which comes free with each bed.
Deep Roots Supports Gardeners
We provide our gardeners with the best products for success – like cedar raised beds, microbe-rich compost and microbe-rich worm castings. Check our online store. Always talk to our customer support team before placing your order online. If you need help or have a question contact us at support[at]deep-roots-project.org and 708-655-5299.
Deep Roots Online Store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
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