Compost Types-

Hello,

I am new to SFG and I'm doing a lot of research on what to put into the 1/3 blended compost. I have the opportunity to purchase Coast of Maine Lobster Compost and Back to Nature Cotton Burr Compost. Are these products of good quality and would they count as 2 of the 5 types of composts? I am planning on rounding out the 5 with manure, mushroom compost and one other. I am planning on adding some worm castings as well. Am I on the right track?

Thanks!

Jam, yes, you are on the right track. The coat of Maine products and Mushroom composts usually have some peat moss in them so cut back a bit on the 1/3 fluffed peat moss to compensate. This is a good thread to read, especially the first long post: https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t7451-mel-s-mix-how-strong-is-your-backbone

It can be found in the pop-up "bubbles" on the left side of the home page.

Thank you for your reply! I have started to look through your suggested post and I'm learning so much. This group is fantastic! Thank you for the information about adjusting the peat moss. I think the lobster compost is about 25% peat moss which I didn't think was too bad, but I am going to keep an eye on that when purchasing the rest of my compost types. I didn't even think about that with the mushroom compost!

Hello! I have read through the link and have a few more questions that I was hoping I could get some help on. I was thinking when making my blended compost I would use:
20% manure-mixture of cow and chicken
40% cotton burr compost
20% lobster compost
20% either mushroom compost or Ecoscraps/Dr. Earth 803
Add a few pounds of worm castings as well

My question is, can you still have a successful blend with mixed percentages when making your blended compost? For example, instead of the 5 types all being 20%, they are mixed as stated above. 

Also, would you recommend mushroom compost or something else like Ecoscraps or Dr. Earth 803?

I may be overthinking this (I tend to do this in general) but I am really excited and just want my first Square Foot Garden to be successful!

Thanks so much!!! Trying to plan early so I can hit the ground running in the spring!

JAM23 wrote:I may be overthinking this (I tend to do this in general) but I am really excited and just want my first Square Foot Garden to be successful!

We do tend to overthink these things.  Having equal amounts of each of 5 different type never, ever happens.  Bags of "compost" are never just compost, but include inexpensive fillers such a peat, wood chips, etc.. I would try to decrease the percentage of cotton burr compost, though, since it is very rich and it also is great for water retention. Back in the day when I lived in Georgia, I used cotton burr compost as a mulch on the gardens because it retained moisture during the hot, dry summers.

Thank you for your quick reply! I have been noticing that about the compost and I will be trying to find some with the least amount of fillers. I have started a home compost but it won't be enough for this spring. I will cut back the cotton burr to around 20% and add both 20% of mushroom compost and 20% of Ecoscraps/Dr. Earth to hopefully balance it out. So much to learn and I want to get it right!

Welcome! 

 I completely agree, no one really ever gets the true “mix”.  But the closer we get, the better!  

Do the best you can, and take lots of notes.  You will learn a lot!  So glad you are here.  

Hope to hear from you lots, JAM23!

Hello again!

So, we are getting closer and closer to preparing our garden beds and the problem we have running into is not being able to find enough different types of compost (which sounds like a common problem these days). I am down to 4 main types plus worm castings. I will adjust the cotton burr compost and my percentages will look something more like this:

20% lobster compost
20% composted cow manure
30% cotton burr compost
30% mushroom compost
30 pound bag of worm castings

Does this sound like it will work well? Is there too much cotton burr and mushroom compost? I cannot get my hands on anymore lobster compost so the only other compost I could adjust would be the composted cow manure (by adding more). Anything else I should adjust?

Thanks to everyone for helping me finalize my garden plans!!

JAM23 wrote:20% lobster compost
20% composted cow manure
30% cotton burr compost
30% mushroom compost
30 pound bag of worm castings

That should be workable. I would probably change up the percentages for the cow manure and cotton burr so they would be 25% each, but either way should work.

Thanks so much! IF I could locate another source of compost, what would be one you could recommend? I think I might be able to get some leaf compost and/or Dr. Earth 803 compost (currently out of stock at my local nursery) as well as some chicken manure. I have seen Nature's Care Really Good Compost at a big box store about 45 minutes from me but I'm not sure if the drive is worth it. 

Any thoughts?

JAM23 wrote:Thanks so much! IF I could locate another source of compost, what would be one you could recommend?
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I have seen Nature's Care Really Good Compost at a big box store about 45 minutes from me but I'm not sure if the drive is worth it.

Not sure what ones you have available in your area. In our area we have some good brands such as Timberline Organic Compost & Manure, Gardenscape Organic Compost, and Evergreen Organic Compost & Manure.  So, it basically comes down to what you can find in your area, and with the nation-wide shortage of available products.

Be careful with Nature's Care Really Good Compost. Last year I bought out the remaining stock at the local TSC during their end of season sale, for $1.59 per bag. Thought it was a good deal until I opened the bags to use it. It was full of plastic bottle caps, drink can pull tabs, wire ties, etc. I contacted Scott's about it, and they refunded the purchase price. But, I had to sift all of the compost before I could use it. Had over a gallon on junk out of the bags by the time I was done. That may not be a problem with all of their product, since they claim it is locally produced, but I probably won't be buying any more of it.

Thank you for the information about the Nature's Care compost. I will pass on that and go with my current set up while keeping an eye open for the products you mentioned. Hopefully a few more choices will pop up in the next few weeks.

JAM, The Dr. Earth 803 compost sounds good. In CA, the Nature's Care Really Good Compost was one of my favorites. It could depend on the regional sourcing. I think you are good to go on your composts. Did you find coarse vermiculite?

Yes. I have my course vermiculite and peat moss. If I can find Nature's Care Really Good Compost closer to home I will check it out. Otherwise, I think I am pretty much set! Starting building two 4x8 garden beds over the weekend and today we have snow! 

Thanks everyone for your help!

Standing by for photos.  New thread:  JAM's SFG ???