Compost Safety?

[patandchickens]

Yeah, if it were me I'd be complaining to whomever sold it to me... :/

It is generally considered that pathogens like E coli don't live more than 60 days in compost or dirt, but OTOH it is unlikely your compost is that old. Clearly it has not been composted hot enough to sterilize things.

An extra careful person would avoid growing things in it that would be harvested within the next six weeks or two months. A more lackadaisical person would figure it's probably not going to kill you. Matter of choice where on that continuum you, personally, fit in

It would be worth having a soil analysis done on it, or at least applying one of the little pH/N/P kits from the garden center. Heaven only knows what's going on in it, and it'd be helpful for you to have a hint.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[GreenGoddess]

Oh God, it is so sad. I am a student, so I can't afford more soil let alone all the work it is going to take to remove this stuff and replace it.

I just found out I am not getting my new birds either (seller can't fill the order). So, this is my first summer in three years that I have any time off from school and no garden and no new birds now. It is so frustrating.

Okay, I am going to go sulk now. LOL

 

[patandchickens]

No no, you don't need to remove this and replace it. Just vent some spleen at the supplier and see if you can wangle either a substitution, replacement, or partial refund or something. (It should neither be smelling of manure nor sprouting weeds all over). PROBABLY they will just laugh and tell you to get over it, but, at least you will have registered your opinion, and, who knows, you could get lucky and they could actually care about what they're doing.

If it were me and I were stuck with that, I would avoid growing anything short-growing-and-soon-harvested, and I would simply mulch heavily (and plan on some extra hand weeding) to deal with the weeds. And get a cheapie little garden center soil test kit to give you some idea what pH, nitrogen and phosphorus levels you're dealing with.

Good luck, have fun, it will work out ok,

Pat

 

[GreenGoddess]

Thanks, Pat. I think I will keep what I have in my planters and maybe add some different mix to the top. I'm sure it will be fine, although it irritates me that they sent me this. At least the new planters look great!

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Sorry I didn't answer before -- it was night time here & I was asleep!

Pat's right -- have a rant at the supplier. I think your idea to put more soil on top will be a good idea. Don't give up -- we all need our flowers & veggies -- to give meaning to our lives!

So sorry to hear you have been let down over the chickens. Maybe someone on BYC has some spares?

GOOD LUCK. :happy_flower


:rose Hattie :rose