Subject: Smoking compost. Is it not ripe yet?
From: "dhs" <dhs@mit.edu>
Organization: M.I.T.
Date: 19 Oct 1997 01:49:12 GMT
Message-ID: <MOD$971018.28855@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
I just ordered several cubic yards of compost (so called organic), from a
local farmer who recycles garden refuse from the area. I put some in peony
and new rose beds, and plan to cover 400 tulips in a new bed with it too.
It is very dark, small pieces (it is sifted, I think), and smells lightly
and wonderfully of forest. But I can see smoke when it is dumped from the
truck, I suppose from heat generation from the decomposition process. Does
this mean that it is not ripe? Does a pile of compost stop generating heat
after it is all done? And is it ever all done?
Should I use this compost???
Thanks Lisa