RDNO-Gro is the compost produced at the Regional Yard Waste Composting Facility located at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility. It is made from the yard and garden waste that is dropped off by residents and landscapers throughout the year. RDNO–Gro DOES NOT CONTAIN BIOSOLIDS (the residuals from municipal wastewater treatment plants).
RDNO-Gro Compost is available, free of charge at RDNO Diversion & Disposal Facilities. At the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility (GVDDF) access the RDNO-Gro stockpile through the Yard & Garden Waste entrance. Customers are required to load their own vehicles. Bring your own shovel.
What are the BENEFITS of using RDNO-Gro?
Using RDNO-Gro will increase the amount of organic matter in soils and will provide a small amount of nutrients in a ‘slow-release’ form (equivalent to a 1-0.25-0.5 soil amendment). This means that the nutrients will only be available to plants once the organic matter has broken down.
Adding more organic matter to soil can provide the following benefits:
- Increases the water holding capacity of soil
- Insulates plant roots from extreme temperatures in the summer and winter months
- Improves soil structure, making it less likely to erode
- Loosens the tightly bound particles in clay rich soils allowing for better water penetration in soils
- Supply micronutrients often absent in synthetic fertilizers
- Improves the retention of nutrients
- The low nutrient content of RDNO-Gro also makes it ideal as a surface mulch that can suppress weed growth.
- Because RDNO-Gro is a plant based material, when mulching on your property consider non-combustible perimeters and other important measures with the FireSmart Yard & Landscaping Guide.
How to use RDNO-Gro
The low nutrient profile of RDNO-Gro can result in nutrient deficiencies in plants when RDNO-Gro is added alone. If using with plants requiring a steady source of nutrients we recommend combining RDNO-Gro with a soil amendment with available nutrients such as finished compost made from food scraps.
RDNO-Gro can be used as surface mulch and weed suppressant on grounds with plants not in need of additional nutrients.
It can also be used as a general soil amendment: Apply 3 to 5 cm (1-2”) to your garden beds and incorporate by digging or rototilling.
How is RDNO-Gro Made?
The GVDDF yard and garden waste pile is chipped regularly and the material placed in windrows. Windrows are turned regularly with an excavator and watered to maintain aeration and create high temperatures in the windrows. The windrows are left to decompose for anywhere from 6 to 24 months, producing a well-rotted, soil-like compost suitable for use as a soil amendment. The compost is screened to remove large pieces of wood, rocks and debris and the screened material is allowed to cure further before being distributed or used.
Questions? Email us at solidwaste@rdno.ca or visit our Contact Us page for all other inquiries.