Just Getting Started; hard to find compost (central KS); is it seasonal?

glowrocks 2/25/2021, 2:19 am

The subject pretty much captures the question.

I found vermiculite and peat moss, but can only find one brand of cow manure compost and some mushroom compost.

Lowe's lists a lot of others, but none are available, from Oklahoma to Kansas City.

So it occurred to me that perhaps commercial compost is seasonal.

If so, can I expect it in stock before I plant (early April, zone 6)

Thanks for any info; I'm excited as I haven't gardened in, well, over 10 years!

OhioGardener 2/25/2021, 7:56 am

Hi, Glowrocks, and welcome to the forum! Be sure to visit the Introduce Yourself forum and tell us about yourself and your gardening plans.

Yes, the big box stores stocking bags of compost is a seasonal thing. The Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart stores here in SW Ohio are just now beginning to get truckloads of compost and soil delivered. Suggest you call your local stores to ask them when they expect to have it in stock. Lowe's and Home Depot here both offer the option of ordering on-line and having it delivered to the store, which might be available in your area as well. If you can't get 5 different types of compost, get as many as you can.

**sanderson** 3/1/2021, 10:19 pm

Growlocks, Welcome to the Forum! $glad you\'re here$

Last year there was such a run on everything gardening that the shelves were cleaned out. It takes time, literally time, to produce more compost for consumers. At least you found mushroom compost (3 or 4 parts) and one manure compost (1 part). If necessary, you can get started with them and keep watching for other sources as the weeks go by. You will need to add more compost for amending the Mel's Mix each season, so nothing you buy will go to waste. Just store the bags off the ground and keep covered with a tarp if outdoors.

If you have the room, you can start your own compost pile. That way you will have control of the ingredients.

**AtlantaMarie** 3/2/2021, 8:32 am

Hi Growlocks. Welcome to our party from Atlanta, GA!

OG & Sanderson have already given you some great advice, so I'll stop there.

I would also second giving us an opportunity to see your garden & plans. The more you share, the more help we can provide. :-)

mramer3 3/7/2021, 3:05 pm

I’m having the same problem here and we are already behind on planting. I’m in zone 8b and the stores around me only have manure compost. I’m hoping to see more soon, but I’m skeptical.

**sanderson** 3/8/2021, 3:37 am

Mramer, Can you find mushroom compost? Besides Home Depot/Menards and Lowes, try private nurseries, and hydroponic and "specialty" supply stores. Don't let the shortage of a variety of composts prevent you from getting started this year. Just keep looking during the coming months for types other than manure-based. Very Happy

mramer3 3/8/2021, 7:38 pm

sanderson wrote:Mramer, Can you find mushroom compost? Besides Home Depot/Menards and Lowes, try private nurseries, and hydroponic and "specialty" supply stores. Don't let the shortage of a variety of composts prevent you from getting started this year. Just keep looking during the coming months for types other than manure-based.

No other compost to be found yet other than manure and landscaping compost.

I checked again today. There are a couple other places I can check that are nurseries. Last year my neighbor brought over cottonseed compost but I wasn’t terribly happy with it. I don’t think I’d go through the trouble to get more.

Yardslave 3/10/2021, 12:15 pm

Just Google " compost in central Kansas" and hopefully there will be a source nearby.

Ret EE 4/26/2021, 8:22 pm

I searched "Kansas compost" this morning, it's there. Because of the soil & climate differences I was considering having KC Compost as one of my five sources. I was going to try and have four 4CF bags shipped. I guess they don't bag it. Sad

Keith

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Just Getting Started; hard to find compost (central KS); is it seasonal?

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Re: Just Getting Started; hard to find compost (central KS); is it seasonal?

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Re: Just Getting Started; hard to find compost (central KS); is it seasonal?

KC sells it by the yard

Re: Just Getting Started; hard to find compost (central KS); is it seasonal?


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