Subject: Re: Is this compost organic anyway?
From: michaelross@mindspring.com (Michael E Ross)
Organization: MindSpring Enterprises
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 04:13:53 GMT
Message-ID: <MOD$970910.20140@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970905.26997@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
"dhs" wrote:
>
>I need a few cubic yards of compost for my new rose and peony beds. The
>farmer next door runs a compost business: gardeners and landscapers bring
>their garden clippings and he puts them into a big pile (several stories
>high). After a while, this becomes compost, very dark. I looked at it, and
>it seems fine (but what do I know?).
>He says that this stuff is organic (not certified). But when lanscapers
>bring the refuse from my suburbs where everybody uses pesticides, why
>should the compost become then "organic"? Are they pulling my leg? Is there
>a way to buy organic compost? I cannot produce enough in my garden. ( this
>stuff goes for $23 a cubic yard -delivered. Is this outrageous a price?)
>
>Thank you for your ideas. Lisa
>
A long time ago (I can't remember when, 70's maybe?) I read a study
that looked at the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, flora and
fauna of roadside berms. There was significantly more cadmium and
lead in them compared to non roadside locations. This contamination
came from tire dust primarily. I have no idea if tire rubber
formulation has changed or if this study was duplicated, etc. It has
always been enough for me to look elswhere for organic matter. I hate
to do it but I don't go to the local municipal leaf pile either. I
don't have much faith in my fellow persons using ag chemicals
correctly.
IMHO,
Mike
Gardening environment: USDA Zone 7/8 (cusp). East central NC.
Soil: Sandy and infertile w/layers of clay. Areas of rock.
Last frost date 15APR. (18APR97 That was a dirty trick!)