compost sources in East TN

SherrieLou 4/2/2012, 6:29 pm

Hi All, I am just getting started but am struggling to find compost. Does anyone have any sources for compost in East TN?

TN_GARDENER 4/2/2012, 6:45 pm

I saw what looked to be a couple different bags of compost at one of the garden center stores. Monterey Mushroom is in Loudon and several garden centers carry their compost.

I also think I've seen the commercial black cow n black chicken stuff at the home improvement stores.

I've seen folks list manure on craigslist. I've even seen folks list aged animal manure (chicken, rabbit, horse, etc.).

If you are real anxious, you can get the hydroponic stores to order bat guano.

jennifer37918 4/2/2012, 8:03 pm

Here's what I found where in Knoxville (after trying to drive everywhere). I wasn't thrilled with my 5 types, but it's better than not having 5 types.

Cow - Home Depot and Lowe's both stocked a cow product: Moonure and Black Kow respectively.

Mushroom - I only found this at Home Depot

Chicken - I only found this at Lowe's (Black Hen). Some of the stores had it stocked with the lawn improvement products like Lime and some had it near the mulch and potting soil.

Humus & Manure - I bought this at Lowe's; can't remember if anyone else had it. I'm not sure what the ingredients are and would have left this out if I'd had the option.

Soil conditioner - I bought this at Home Depot, I think. I think it's ingredients list forest compost, but I can't remember for sure. I would have also replace this one if I'd had another option.

I tried Ace Hardware. They said they has compost, but there wasn't any on the aisle they pointed me to.

I also asked at the Knox Coop on Asheville Hwy. They said they had cow and mushroom, but I already had those by then. I did buy my coarse vermiculite from them.

If you find any other options, let me know! So far, what I've planted seems to be thriving, but I don't know how long it takes a bad mix to prove unworthy. (This is my first year.)

Soil Conditioner -

**walshevak** 4/2/2012, 11:04 pm

jennifer37918 wrote:Here's what I found where in Knoxville (after trying to drive everywhere). I wasn't thrilled with my 5 types, but it's better than not having 5 types.

Cow - Home Depot and Lowe's both stocked a cow product: Moonure and Black Kow respectively.

Mushroom - I only found this at Home Depot

Chicken - I only found this at Lowe's (Black Hen). Some of the stores had it stocked with the lawn improvement products like Lime and some had it near the mulch and potting soil.

Humus & Manure - I bought this at Lowe's; can't remember if anyone else had it. I'm not sure what the ingredients are and would have left this out if I'd had the option.

Soil conditioner - I bought this at Home Depot, I think. I think it's ingredients list forest compost, but I can't remember for sure. I would have also replace this one if I'd had another option.

I tried Ace Hardware. They said they has compost, but there wasn't any on the aisle they pointed me to.

I also asked at the Knox Coop on Asheville Hwy. They said they had cow and mushroom, but I already had those by then. I did buy my coarse vermiculite from them.

If you find any other options, let me know! So far, what I've planted seems to be thriving, but I don't know how long it takes a bad mix to prove unworthy. (This is my first year.)

Soil Conditioner -

You have basically the same mix I have and it does great. Black Kow and Black Hen are real work horses.

Kay

TN_GARDENER 4/3/2012, 6:16 am

Check on Craigslist. There's a few folks on there with manure (rabbit, chicken, horse, etc.).

I know there are alpaca farms in East TN, also.

I seem to recall seeing some other stuff at Mayo's (haven't been to Pope's, yet).

SherrieLou 4/3/2012, 11:57 am

Thanks for all of the help!!

I found the Black Cow Manure and Vermiculite at Out of Eden on Rt 411 (they were listed in the database). They also had "Wiggle Worm" organic worm casings. Since I don't have my own compost yet I went for it.

Found the Mushroom Compost at Home Depot and also bought the Organic Soil Conditioner (from forestation). It made me nervouse but was getting desperate at that point and thought it was better then nothing. Been debating whether to return it or not. ?? Currently it makes #5 on my list but if I find a better replacement I may still ditch it.

Will check out Craig's List and am headed to Lowes for "Black Hen".

I'll let you know if my quest uncovers anything interesting. sunny

TN_GARDENER 4/3/2012, 12:27 pm

You can also find some stuff at:

Innovative Hydroponic Supply

3286 North Park Blvd., Unit G

Alcoa, TN 37701

If they don't have it, ask them to order it.

Might also check with Pope's.

SherrieLou 4/3/2012, 1:18 pm

TN_GARDENER wrote:You can also find some stuff at:

Innovative Hydroponic Supply
3286 North Park Blvd., Unit G

Alcoa, TN 37701

If they don't have it, ask them to order it.

Might also check with Pope's.

toddvol 4/25/2012, 10:07 am

Blount County Co-op has Humus and course 4 cu. ft. vermiculite. They also have the 4'x4'x7" cedar raised bed kits made by Greenes for $39 I believe.

Man..that hen manure from Lowes sure does smell nice Laughing

When I bought Black Hen the lady at the outdoor checkout immediately got a whiff. She asked what that awful smell was and I told her chicken..... The replied Chicken Shhh..? She almost said it. Very Happy

mapspringer 4/26/2012, 10:58 am

toddvol wrote:Blount County Co-op has Humus and course 4 cu. ft. vermiculite. They also have the 4'x4'x7" cedar raised bed kits made by Greenes for $39 I believe.

Man..that hen manure from Lowes sure does smell nice

When I bought Black Hen the lady at the outdoor checkout immediately got a whiff. She asked what that awful smell was and I told her chicken..... The replied Chicken Shhh..? She almost said it.

It's my understanding that composted material should have no smell, or at least only an earthy smell, and that you shouldn't use it unless it is fully decomposed (composted.) I could have purchased some Chickity-Doo brand manure, but didn't because is wreaked something awful. If I'm wrong on this, someone do please correct me.

**walshevak** 4/26/2012, 4:03 pm

Black Hen is fully composted and will not burn, but when you first open the bag is smells to high heaven. (I checked with the producer) After mixing with all the rest and sitting in the open a few days the smell goes away. I saw elsewhere on the forum that Chickity doo doo is the same. Black Hen really boosts your growing power.

Kay

TN_GARDENER 4/26/2012, 6:39 pm

walshevak wrote:Black Hen is fully composted and will not burn, but when you first open the bag is smells to high heaven. (I checked with the producer) After mixing with all the rest and sitting in the open a few days the smell goes away. I saw elsewhere on the forum that Chickity doo doo is the same. Black Hen really boosts your growing power.

Kay

Read something on the interweb about manure n compost smell. Fella said it's foolish to spread the stuff and let the gases escape. Said something about that smell is the nutrients (nitrogen/ammonia) leeching out. Says he prefers to work it in to the soil and let it rest a couple days or so instead. I read that, and I wondered if that might not be wise?

michellentn 5/14/2012, 11:44 am

awesome list...i picked up the mushroom compost at HD the other day.

sassykat&joe 7/18/2012, 5:29 pm

I too am a newbie, wanting to set up my first box. I'm north of Knoxville, so was planning on looking from Lafollette (so far found Black Kow and Black hen at Lowes in Lafollette) down to Knoxville, and over to Oak Ridge and to Morristown. This list has saved me major aggravation.

**walshevak** 7/18/2012, 11:05 pm

TN_GARDENER wrote:
walshevak wrote:Black Hen is fully composted and will not burn, but when you first open the bag is smells to high heaven. (I checked with the producer) After mixing with all the rest and sitting in the open a few days the smell goes away. I saw elsewhere on the forum that Chickity doo doo is the same. Black Hen really boosts your growing power.

Kay

Read something on the interweb about manure n compost smell. Fella said it's foolish to spread the stuff and let the gases escape. Said something about that smell is the nutrients (nitrogen/ammonia) leeching out. Says he prefers to work it in to the soil and let it rest a couple days or so instead. I read that, and I wondered if that might not be wise?

Making up the MM is basically doing that. I didn't get my MM into the boxes the same day I mixed, and by the time I did, the smell had almost disappeared. But I wouldn't hesitate to put into the box and plant right away.

Kay

jennifer37918 9/7/2012, 3:24 am

I found one more type for sale locally: Earthworm Castings. I found it at Three Rivers Market and at the Farmers Market at Market Square. It's the most expensive so far. I'm leaning toward getting my own worms instead of paying so much for it.

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compost sources in East TN

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Compost Sources in East TN

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thanks! didn't know about IHS, great idea!

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thank you for the resources

great sources! thanks!

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