Without knowing much about your soil, location, what plants you have, how well they are doing, and what your goals are, it's hard to say. But generally speaking I would use the compost where it seems to be needed the most. If you have plantings that like organic rich soil and yours is not, start there. Or ones that need extra nitrogen like vegetable gardens. I would probably put a batch in one area and rotate around the gardens, rather than spread it microscopically thin over the whole place.

THIS ^^^Use it on the plants or in the beds that need it the most. And yes, it's better to thoroughly amend areas then sprinkle it like fairy dust over the whole yard.

Do you know about Compost Tea? It is the best way to spread out your compost the furthest. You basically put some compost into bubbling water, along with some molasses (and/or liquid fish). The beneficial microbes in the compost multiply, after 24 or so hours of bubbling, you use that "tea" by watering it into your soil (you can dilute 1 gallon into 10). This is a great way to stretch out your compost pile. There are some videos about compost tea here: www.composttealab.com

I am in NJ. I do not do any vegetable gardening. TeaLab, i do have my organic landscaper spray all the trees, shrubs, plants and grass with compost tea on a program.

I use all my compost on my vege garden, but since you don't have a vege garden =( Just put it around any plantings you have! Couldn't hurt! Nancy

I make my own compost and they are a very precious commodity since i can't make enough of it. Because of that i would use the compost for my vegetable beds rather than for my flowering plants or the lawn. I'm trying to grow organic vegetables so i can eat healthier hence apply only organic ferts and compost to the veg beds. As far as i'm concern, my flower plants could have chemical ferts :) cos i dont eat them

i would probably put more on specimens that are rare or cost you the most...thats just me though