Just wanted to share a source of soil amendment with you. I bought 15 bags (about 400 pounds) last week for $30. I raked it out into my yard (did not dig it in) and I'm very happy with the result. There is no waxy crust (like some bagged amendments I have purchased at nurseries) that prevents water from penetrating and no fly eggs hatching, like some steer manure products.

The compost is made of horse manure and raw wood shavings. The compost has a sweet smell, slightly like alfalfa and is light and just barely damp, not dry or wet clumps. No ammonia or sludge smell at all. The owner told me that he did not use any lawn waste, so no pesticide or herbicide residue. He cooks his compost in excess of 150 degrees, so no weed seeds or mushrooms have sprouted up in my yard.

What a brilliant idea: the composting facility is located in a horse stables. There was the alfalfa truck, the horses, the compost pile and me buying the end result! And the price & quality beats anything I have found in this area. I have added the link to the website with all the details.

Happy gardening!

--Ron

I am the person who originally posted this. I put the compost down on top of my regular mulch around the end of July. It's about 4 - 6 inches thick. When I water, the water runs right through the compost layer to the soil below and the compost is acting like a mulch to keep the topsoil moist. It does work as a mulch, but due to the fine texture of the compost, it is gradually sifting past the old mulch down into the soil. So, I would not say it replaces mulch, which sits on top of the soil, but it is acting like mulch for now. But, again, due to the compost's fine texture, you may want to mulch on top of the compost with something bulkier & heavier, especially if it is very windy in your area. Hope that helps! S-mom

Anyone else try Serrano compost & have an opinion about it?

Anna

Good product, literally cheaper than dirt. I'm very happy with it.