Bulk Compost

EatYourVeggies Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:52 pm

I'd like to hear some factual opinions, those from experience on bulk compost. I've previously bought it in bags, but sometimes its difficult to get five different kinds.

Have you used bulk compost in past SFG's? The kind sold my nurseries, farms or reclamation yards, where you arrive with your truck and its loosely loaded with a backhoe or tractor. Is there a tendency to have it loaded with weed seeds or other things, making it less desirable? Please, do tell.

tomperrin Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:59 pm

I bought 4 cu yds of two different kinds of compost last year. One based on leaf compost, the other was mushroom compost. I didn't have any problems with seeds or weeds. The professional composting process pretty much kills the seeds. I believe USDA posts standards for commercial compost. My own compost I'm not so sure yet.

My weeds come from the air. This year I'll be covering the squares with clear plastic during whirlygig season.

**camprn** Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:18 pm

This Fact Sheet from Cornell speaks to certification and regulation of compost. It's old and somewhat State specific, but an interesting read.

littlejo Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:57 pm

I've not had a chance to read the above link, but, in SC, you must have a lic. to make and sell compost. I finally found a place to buy bulk compost, without spending a lot. It is a landfill that only takes yard waste, no trash. I was really impressed with the process. Acres of windrows, from different time frames. I saw no weeds growing. They turn it all with a machine(they should make a mini one for home use!) As far as fertility, we will have to see, but it just looks good and smells good too!

As far as'loosely loaded' The guy dropped 7/10 of a ton in my truck, that's a lot. It is so packed, that digging it out of my truck, well, need some teenage kids. Laughing

Price: $10 per ton (that's a lot of compost!)

**sfg4uKim** Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:38 pm

I use Veteran Compost (both their vegetable scrap compost & their worm compost) mixed with LeafGro from the Maryland Environmental Service in bulk.

Weeds have not been a problem.

Bella232 Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:13 am

Thank you for the great leads: looking forward to Spring (although it already feels like it). You had a source for vermeculite (sp?) too? Could you repost? Thanks!

**Furbalsmom** Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:31 pm

Welcome Bella

You might try the VERMICULITE DATA BASE we have put together from our members adding to the data base.

Just a reminder to all:

U.S. Form is to add sources

U.S.D.B. is to view sources already gathered. These are sorted by state. You also might want to scroll all the way to the bottom for new additions that have not yet been sorted.

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