Humus is organic matter broken down into its smallest particle form. When plants drop leaves, twigs, and other material to the ground, it piles up. Compost is a see also of humus. You can see if your soil is true humus by performing this simple test with soil, water, and a clear container. Humic Acids: Significant, long-lasting addition of carbon, directly adding to humus levels. Compost typically refers to a pile or bin of organic matter that is in the process of decomposing. A lot of microscopic action will still be taking place as the bugs, bacteria, fungi, and microbes that we really don’t like to acknowledge are there still have a lot of material in that “black gold” to feast upon and break down. A 2- to 4-inch layer of compost around plants is recommended by the North Dakota State University Extension. Mined humic substances have 60%–70% humic/fulvic acids. Health… It is the byproduct of the decomposition of plants and animal materials. Compost also makes an effective mulch for suppressing weeds and conserving moisture. On the other hand, the difference between compost and humus is quite significant. Humus is an organic, non-living matter that exists in the top layers of soil. Over time, all this litter decomposes. So to recap the whole compost vs. humus debacle, while humus can be created through the composting process (albeit very, very slowly), compost is not humus until it is decomposed down to dark organic material that can no longer be broken down. Plants can siphon these much needed nutrients from the humus through their roots. Humus is fully decomposed compost. Compost literally takes years to fully decompose into a humus state. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! http://willgardenforfood.com It's a bit tricky to find info on the internet about the difference between humus and compost. Finished compost looks and smells like fresh soil and is free from large chunks of organic matter. Humus typically refers to decomposed organic matter in the soil. While humus is an identifiable, physical soil ingredient, compost is a little tougher to quantify. Humus can be defined as naturally-formed compost. Turning the pile periodically mixes the brown and green material and speeds the decomposition process. Although technically they both refer to decomposed organic matter, there are some subtle differences that account for the way gardeners use the terms. By continuing to add organic matter and finished compost to your garden soil, you are slowly increasing the amount of humus, as well. Compost is plant material that is slightly decomposed. Compost and humus are gardening terms that are often used in different ways. If topsoil is poor, make your own. Humus is different from decomposing soil organic matter, as fully humified humus has a uniformly dark, spongy appearance, and has no determinate shape, structure, or quality (Di Giovanni, et al, 1998). Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. But sometimes people get confused over the two. They are found everywhere compared to compost since humus is always produced by the natural processes in any ecosystem. In fact, mature compost typically has humus in it. Compost: Rapidly decomposes, leaving minerals behind but releasing carbon into atmosphere as CO2. Mulch vs Compost… Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with more than four years' experience in online writing. While both materials are beneficial to the health of the soil, choosing between compost VS Humus is an easy decision. This is where the term “burning up the humus” comes from in agriculture. Generally, compost from the compost bin or pile is not used until it has turned to humus, which is also referred to as finished compost. It is the humus that has been built up in that soil. Although the terms compost and humus are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. While finished compost is a form of humus, there are varying stages to compost when made in a compost pile or bin. Humus is the end result of the decompositions process, whereas compost is a word that identifies a phase of the decomposition process where decomposing plant material provides the most benefit to the soil. Just no. Humus compost, made up of decomposed plant material, improves soil structure by clumping soil particles to create quality tilth. It is also possible to build to this level over time. Read on to get the dirt about compost vs. humus. You can buy bags of stuff labeled ‘humus’ at gardening centers, but this is just mislabeled compost. I have answered this question in a previous post, written in 2013, called What is Humus? One myth that we need to stop feeding or circulating is the one where we declare that compost is humus. Compost that has been fully broken down and decomposed is called humus. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in teaching 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5. Although formed through the microbial degradation of organic matter, it is stabilized to a point that it resists further degradation. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. As I mentioned earlier, humus is spongy in nature. So to recap the whole compost vs. humus debacle, while humus can be created through the composting process (albeit very, very slowly), compost is not humus until it is decomposed down to dark organic material that can no longer be broken down. Myths are kind of like plants in a way, they keep growing if you feed it. Humus is what’s left over at the conclusion of the dinner feast, which is when all the usable chemicals in the organic matter have been extracted by the microorganisms. When added to the garden it improves the structure of the soil. Completely finished compost made from mixed yard waste is virtually 100% humus. When the compost is fully decomposed it will then be 100% humus. Vermicompost has many advantages over conventional compost. The terms humus and compost are often used interchangeably. This is significant because this attribute enables humus to hold up to 90% of its weight in water, meaning soil laden in humus will be able to retain moisture better and be more drought resistant. Simply look for quality sphagnum peat moss you can use in your garden. How is humus used in gardens and why is humus important? The terms ‘compost’ and ‘humus’ cannot be used interchangeably. In the process of traditional composting, microbes and bacteria decompose waste and generate humus, heat, water, and carbon dioxide gas . Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays.. Vermicompost vs. traditional compost: Which one is better? Make lighter, but more frequent, compost applications raked into the top layer of soil. Finished compost adds humus to the soil. Humus-rich soil may be the result of adding compost to the soil or may occur naturally as vegetation decays and becomes part of the soil. Organic Lawn Care: Your Guide to A Healthy Lawn, Foliar Feeding With Calcium: How To Make Your Own Calcium Fertilizer, Do Plants Use Carbon: Learn About The Role Of Carbon In Plants, Boxwood Wreath Ideas: Tips For Making Boxwood Wreaths, Best Holiday Herbs – Grow A Christmas Herb Garden, Madonna Lily Flower: How To Care For Madonna Lily Bulbs, Celosia Plant Death: Reasons For Celosia Plants Dying, Imperator Carrot Info – How To Grow Imperator Carrots, Ravenna Grass Information: Guide To Growing Ravenna Grass, Creeping Evergreen Plants For Zone 9: Choosing Evergreen Groundcover Plants For Zone 9, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Trust me. This is an incorrect use of the term. So basically, the finished compost we put in our gardens really only contains a very small percentage of humus. Good quality compost has about 5% humic/fulvic acids. In agriculture and gardening the term humus is sometimes used to describe well aged compost. Compost also provides a slow-release source of nutrients to flowers and vegetables. Compost and peat moss are both common soil amendments that are each added to soils to improve them in different ways. The main difference between Compost and Humus is that the Compost is a organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment and Humus is a any organic matter that has reached a point of stability. Humus is usually dark brown-colored with a mild, pleasant smell. Humus just isn’t as tasty. Improving the soil is key to getting healthy plants and cleaner soil. Compost is created by natural decomposition and chemical processes. Sign up for our newsletter. This could be rotting twigs under the water in swamplands or pile of leaves buried in the soil in forests. 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