How long does MM components last (in bags)?

I have plenty of leftover vermiculite and peat to use for another bed I am going to make early next spring. I would think both of those would not be an issue as long as they are kept dry.

However, how long does good compost last in bags? The reason I am asking is, like many, around here the compost blend (five types) was a pain to track down. It took me almost three straight days of driving, calling and driving through four counties to track it down.

Shortly after I visited an organic garden center while visiting a friend in Louisville (about 4 hours away). They had every type of compost I have heard of, and better prices than I found locally. I am going to be back in louisville in a few weeks and would like to at least pick up some of the harder to find compost (worm castings, mushroom, llama or equine) - cow manure and chicken manure compost is readily available here. I will also have small amounts of my own compost (hopefully) that I have started.

I would think that it would still be good, but thought I would ask, before I spend the money. Thanks.

I would think that as long as you are not storing it where it will get rained on and wash the nutrients out of it, it should store just fine.

GG

Goosegirl wrote:I would think that as long as you are not storing it where it will get rained on and wash the nutrients out of it, it should store just fine.

GG

+1

I kept some under a tarp from last fall and the new spring bed is doing fine.

Kay

Thanks! I was thinking it would be OK. I know it would take all of the headache out of next spring. Especially since one of my current boxes is going to be filled up with Garlic and Shallots over the winter into next summer.

Now all I will have to get next spring is 16' of 2x6.

My worm casting bags are labeled that they expire in 2 years. I am not should why worm poop would go bad after 2 years in a seal bag.

I think it all should be fine, but, the worm castings should not dry out. Castings have living microbes and other living things which would die if it drys out. It also should not be sealed up tight either, for oxygen is needed too. I don't know if the composts are alive or not?

Jo

I'll share what little I've learned. The microbes are alive. Under less optimal conditions like storage it will form protective cysts which preserve it and 'comes alive' again when conditions are better such as temperature and moisture. The warning on the bag indicates to me those protective cysts have a sort of shelf life too. A couple websites I read discussed wormcast storage and suggest a few months is about as long as they would store it. The quality degenerates with time like any living thing would. Redwormcomposting.com could give you more info, another is called I think wormgirl.com