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Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
+6
stevenfstein
sanderson
markqz
yolos
OhioGardener
Fishtell
10 posters
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Tried to find the answer to this is previous discussions but could not: I'm finding in my search for a variety of compost bags out there that some of the compost has listed the other ingredients in their bags such as Peat Moss and Vermiculite. Would purchasing Compost bags that show Peat Moss or Vermiculite in the bag in small amounts mess up the secrete formula ? Or should I trie to avoid these choice and stick with Compost that does not have them as listed ingredients.
Alan from Asheville N.C. area
Alan from Asheville N.C. area
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
sanderson likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
I have not seen bags of compost with Vermiculite, but many of them contain peat moss since is less expensive for them to mix with compost. You can still use bags of compost with peat, but you need to decrease the amount of peat that you add to the mixture to compensate for the amount already in the compost bags.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Triciasgarden and sanderson like this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
I agree with Ohio Gardener. I have never seen a bag of compost that contains vermiculite. Are you sure it was compost and not some kind of soil conditioner.
yolos-
Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 73
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
sanderson likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Hi guys,
I know for sure everything I was looking at was compost... but not sure which I saw in the compost ... Peat Moss or vermiculite. I do recall the % of Peat Moss if it was Peat Moss was small so I can't imagine if it was say 2 or 3 % how I would deduct that from the 1/3 Peat Moss amount.
But I think from your responses it allows me to use common sense and really ignore any amounts of Peat Moss put in compost or just try and not purchase any Compost that shows Peat Moss in it.
Don't you agree?
Thanks,
Alan
I know for sure everything I was looking at was compost... but not sure which I saw in the compost ... Peat Moss or vermiculite. I do recall the % of Peat Moss if it was Peat Moss was small so I can't imagine if it was say 2 or 3 % how I would deduct that from the 1/3 Peat Moss amount.
But I think from your responses it allows me to use common sense and really ignore any amounts of Peat Moss put in compost or just try and not purchase any Compost that shows Peat Moss in it.
Don't you agree?
Thanks,
Alan
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Fishtell wrote:But I think from your responses it allows me to use common sense and really ignore any amounts of Peat Moss put in compost or just try and not purchase any Compost that shows Peat Moss in it.
Common sense should always prevail. Do what you feel comfortable with.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
It's not compost, but amleo sells this mix of moss, perlite, and vermiculite:

Maddeningly, they don't tell you the proportions of any of the ingredients, but they do tell you it's electrical conductivity, I guess in case you're growing electric
plants! 

Maddeningly, they don't tell you the proportions of any of the ingredients, but they do tell you it's electrical conductivity, I guess in case you're growing electric


markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 855
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
Triciasgarden likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
markqz wrote:It's not compost, but amleo sells this mix of moss, perlite, and vermiculite:
Maddeningly, they don't tell you the proportions of any of the ingredients, but they do tell you it's electrical conductivity, I guess in case you're growing electricplants!
Since the Lambert site says it is 80% - 90% peat moss, it is probably more practical and economical to just buy 100% peat moss.
Ingredients:
- Canadian sphagnum peat moss (80 - 90%)
- Horticultural perlite
- Horticultural vermiculite
- Calcitic limestone
- Dolomitic limestone
- Wetting agent
- Starter charge
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Triciasgarden likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
I would buy pure composts, and straight coarse vermiculite and peat moss. That way you control the results. Mel's Mix made properly does NOT need any other additives.
donnainzone5 and Triciasgarden like this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Has anyone tried Sustane Concentrated Compost? I have used before when I just had dirt and rocks and it seemed to work pretty well. I removed all the old dirt and replaced with 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 composted cow manure. Did not read the directions completely so I'm adding Coast of Maine Lobster Compost, Raised Bed Mix and a few bags of their Earthworm Castings. Thought I would add the Sustane for good measure. Comments appreciated
Concentrated Compost (sustane.com)
Best... Steve
Concentrated Compost (sustane.com)
Best... Steve
stevenfstein- Posts : 46
Join date : 2020-11-09
Location : Zone 6a
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Sustane Concentrated Compost is sold as a soil amendment, rather than as a compost. At over $20 for an 18# bag, in general it is probably not a good investment. I have never seen anywhere that lists what is in their "concentrate" - they only state that it is 50% composted turkey with other "organic fertilizers".
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Triciasgarden likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
markqz wrote:It's not compost, but amleo sells this mix of moss, perlite, and vermiculite:
Maddeningly, they don't tell you the proportions of any of the ingredients, but they do tell you it's electrical conductivity, I guess in case you're growing electricplants!
Here's why EC matters. EC matters
Is this Product a compost or fertilizer ??
Should I include in my 5 different types of compost for my MEL’S MIX Pete's Cow Manure and Pete’s Kickin Chicken?
What is confusing me is that they are listed as “Fertilizers”. Are these products a hybrid of Fertilizers and compost ? Or is Daddy Pete’s using the word Fertilizers and compost interchangeably and calling Compost fertilizers ?
Help me here,
alan

What is confusing me is that they are listed as “Fertilizers”. Are these products a hybrid of Fertilizers and compost ? Or is Daddy Pete’s using the word Fertilizers and compost interchangeably and calling Compost fertilizers ?
Help me here,
alan
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
It looks like they are both composted manures, which means they are composts. All manures count as one source of compost. Try to limit manure composts to 20-25% of the total compost blend. Pick one of them.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
What Sanderson said. Daddy Pete's Cow Manure says the ingredients in the bag is "Organic Composted Cow Manure". That indicates it does not include peat moss or wood chips, which is good.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson likes this post
Going "Nuts" trying to find 3-5 types of Compost
Hi all,
I've spent weeks trying to find 3-5 different types of bagged compost. I've been to 5 local garden supply stores and looked on line for hours. All I can find are:
* Lobster
* Cow Manure
* Chicken Manure
* Mixture of Horse Cow, Food waste & Yard waste
Are the Cow, Chicken and Horse manures all considered one type of compost ?
Is the Lobster compost a 2nd type ? Who sells the 3, 4th and 5th types?
Can anyone suggest (5) different types of commercial "bagged" compost that I can purchase? Or even 3 or 4. I'm going nuts trying to find compost in bags !!!!
Help
Alan
I've spent weeks trying to find 3-5 different types of bagged compost. I've been to 5 local garden supply stores and looked on line for hours. All I can find are:
* Lobster
* Cow Manure
* Chicken Manure
* Mixture of Horse Cow, Food waste & Yard waste
Are the Cow, Chicken and Horse manures all considered one type of compost ?
Is the Lobster compost a 2nd type ? Who sells the 3, 4th and 5th types?
Can anyone suggest (5) different types of commercial "bagged" compost that I can purchase? Or even 3 or 4. I'm going nuts trying to find compost in bags !!!!
Help
Alan
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
This tread is very good to look for purchased bagged compost.
compost - Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts (forumotion.com)
compost - Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts (forumotion.com)
yolos-
Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 73
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Fishtell wrote:Are the Cow, Chicken and Horse manures all considered one type of compost ?
In general, yes. However, the one listed as "Mixture of Horse Cow, Food waste & Yard waste" has other ingredients that could be used.
Don't get bogged down by only looking for commercial bagged compost. Think outside the bag! There are other local sources for compost that can be used as well. Do a google search for "compost asheville nc", and you will find bulk suppliers for compost. Also, visit the farmer's market down Brevard Road and talk with some of the organic gardeners there to see what sources they use for compost (some of them may only make their own). There are some excellent sources for local high quality bulk compost.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Triciasgarden likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Hi all,
I just went down my current list of all the compost choices and 9 of the 10 bags are Manure and (1) is Coast of Maine's Lobster. So are you saying I really only have 2 picks so far? If so does anyone have any suggestions on what compost companies I should contact to get the 3rd , 4th or 5th bag of compost?
I have to purchase between 11 and 18 bags depending on how many choices I find and how large the bags are.. I'm figuring at this point that each bag will be 1 cu. ft.
Alan
I just went down my current list of all the compost choices and 9 of the 10 bags are Manure and (1) is Coast of Maine's Lobster. So are you saying I really only have 2 picks so far? If so does anyone have any suggestions on what compost companies I should contact to get the 3rd , 4th or 5th bag of compost?
I have to purchase between 11 and 18 bags depending on how many choices I find and how large the bags are.. I'm figuring at this point that each bag will be 1 cu. ft.
Alan
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Hey Ohio,
It seems like you know the area
) your comment came in as I was typing my last comment.... I'm going to look into your suggestions.... my soil delivery guy is coming up drive with last load of topsoil... total 16 cu. yds for bottom 16" of my beds ... will get back to this forum later...
really appreciate the help you all are giving.
alan
It seems like you know the area

really appreciate the help you all are giving.
alan
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Triciasgarden likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Try mushroom compost. It seems that is fairly easy to locate, especially "specialty" and hydroponic stores.Fishtell wrote:Hi all,
I just went down my current list of all the compost choices and 9 of the 10 bags are Manure and (1) is Coast of Maine's Lobster. So are you saying I really only have 2 picks so far? If so does anyone have any suggestions on what compost companies I should contact to get the 3rd , 4th or 5th bag of compost?
I have to purchase between 11 and 18 bags depending on how many choices I find and how large the bags are.. I'm figuring at this point that each bag will be 1 cu. ft.
Alan
Triciasgarden likes this post
Compostitis
Hi all,
I've read almost all the posts on Composts for Mel's Mix. I spent months and hours initially thinking that the term "5 different types of Compost" would allow me to include in those types Cow, Chicken , Horse and donkey manure + Lobster, Mushroom, Yard waste, Food waste, etc etc etc.
Now I've learned from this Forum that I should choose only one manure type from the bunch.
Regarding the McGeary Organics "Chicken Manure" photo below
* I'm wondering why the packaging does not have the wording "Compost" ?
* What is purpose of putting on label the "3-2-2 + 8%"
* Can this "Chicken Manure" be a candidate for at least one of composts?
I've read the Square Foot gardening book and wish there was more discussion in the book on how to go about choosing the compost for Mel's Mix. There is a lot more that might be said.. i.e. there should be a book titled, "How to Avoid Compostitis syndrome"
Alan
I've read almost all the posts on Composts for Mel's Mix. I spent months and hours initially thinking that the term "5 different types of Compost" would allow me to include in those types Cow, Chicken , Horse and donkey manure + Lobster, Mushroom, Yard waste, Food waste, etc etc etc.
Now I've learned from this Forum that I should choose only one manure type from the bunch.
Regarding the McGeary Organics "Chicken Manure" photo below
* I'm wondering why the packaging does not have the wording "Compost" ?
* What is purpose of putting on label the "3-2-2 + 8%"
* Can this "Chicken Manure" be a candidate for at least one of composts?
I've read the Square Foot gardening book and wish there was more discussion in the book on how to go about choosing the compost for Mel's Mix. There is a lot more that might be said.. i.e. there should be a book titled, "How to Avoid Compostitis syndrome"
Alan

Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Ok, now to get serious ...Being totally new to gardening I'm getting a little frustrated in this final stretch of filling up our beds and am grateful that there are so many knowledgeable people on this forum to help. I guess in a year or so I'll be one of those helpers.
Current status:
We have 16 cu ft of topsoil delivered , ready to be moved with a neighbor's front loader into the beds' bottom 16".
For the Mel's Mix's top 6"...... I've purchased the 53 cu. ft of Peat Moss and 53 cu ft of Vermiculite. I thought I was close to choosing all the Compost selections until I was told to "CHOOSE ONE" of the composts made up of Manure... 9 of the 10 choices I had lined up were some form of Manure. So now I'm down to:
1. Lobster Compost
2. Manure Compost
3 , 4, 5 ??
I've been shying away from the compost yards because they can't guarantee what is in their piles that get delivered to them and they all want to sell me by the cu. yd (27 cu ft)
Help and thanks in advance ,
Alan
P.S.... Oh just remembered my neighbor who has a horse and a donkey has volunteered to give me all the Horse and donkey manure I want? Is this something I should consider ?
Current status:
We have 16 cu ft of topsoil delivered , ready to be moved with a neighbor's front loader into the beds' bottom 16".
For the Mel's Mix's top 6"...... I've purchased the 53 cu. ft of Peat Moss and 53 cu ft of Vermiculite. I thought I was close to choosing all the Compost selections until I was told to "CHOOSE ONE" of the composts made up of Manure... 9 of the 10 choices I had lined up were some form of Manure. So now I'm down to:
1. Lobster Compost
2. Manure Compost
3 , 4, 5 ??
I've been shying away from the compost yards because they can't guarantee what is in their piles that get delivered to them and they all want to sell me by the cu. yd (27 cu ft)
Help and thanks in advance ,
Alan

P.S.... Oh just remembered my neighbor who has a horse and a donkey has volunteered to give me all the Horse and donkey manure I want? Is this something I should consider ?
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Cmonster90 likes this post
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Mushroom compost can be found just about anywhere. I have no idea how nutritious it is for plants.
yolos-
Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 73
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Alan, I merged your 3 threads on compost into one thread.
You can use different manure-sourced composts but the total volume of all of the manures has to be limited to 20-25% of the total volume of all composts together.
Mushroom compost - check out hydroponic or "specialty crop" stores.
You can use different manure-sourced composts but the total volume of all of the manures has to be limited to 20-25% of the total volume of all composts together.
Mushroom compost - check out hydroponic or "specialty crop" stores.
Re: Trying to find different composts for the 1/3 Compost part of New Mel's Mix
Good Evening Sanderson and Yolos,
Thanks for the feedback and comments.
Re: Mushrooms: my wife is highly allergic to Mushrooms. She does snot want to take any chances.
Re: Typo on amount of Soil I had delivered ... its 16 Cu. Yds (not cu. ft.): those 16 cu yds will fill up the bottom 16" of our 24" high beds. (Mel's will be 6" & 2" for mulch if needed)
Re: Amount of manure composts: I'm slow with the math but will study it after we have dinner
Thanks guys
Alan from Asheville.
Thanks for the feedback and comments.
Re: Mushrooms: my wife is highly allergic to Mushrooms. She does snot want to take any chances.
Re: Typo on amount of Soil I had delivered ... its 16 Cu. Yds (not cu. ft.): those 16 cu yds will fill up the bottom 16" of our 24" high beds. (Mel's will be 6" & 2" for mulch if needed)
Re: Amount of manure composts: I'm slow with the math but will study it after we have dinner
Thanks guys
Alan from Asheville.
Fishtell- Posts : 58
Join date : 2020-12-18
Location : Asheville, N.C.
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2

» Help please, can't find 5 different composts here.
» Is the compost from the dump in Salt Lake City ok to use as part of the compost mix?
» I can't find compost for my Mel's mix, and my compost pile is not sufficient
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
» Need some advice on the compost part of Mel's Mix
» Is the compost from the dump in Salt Lake City ok to use as part of the compost mix?
» I can't find compost for my Mel's mix, and my compost pile is not sufficient
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
» Need some advice on the compost part of Mel's Mix
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