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RDNO-Gro

*Click here for a handy factsheet on using RDNO-Gro.

RDNO-Gro is available, free of charge, at a stockpile located at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility (GVDDF). Access to the stockpile is through the Yard & Garden Waste entrance. Customers are required to load their own vehicles.

What is RDNO-Gro?

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).

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.

The process utilized at the GVDDF is in accordance with the Provincial Organic Matter Recycling Regulation. Once finished, the compost is sampled to determine if it meets the OMRR Class A standard. All batches produced since the facility opened have met the Class A standard.

1. Sampling Results - Yard Waste Compost (May 2019) - RDNO - Compost Analysis
2. Organic Matter Recycling Regulation - Schedule 4

What are the BENEFITS of using RDNO-Gro in my yard or garden?

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.

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. For this application add layers that are 10-15cm (4-6”) or deeper to prevent weed seedlings from passing through.

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.

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or visit our Contact Us page for all other inquiries.