Question about compost

[JustBlazin]

just wondering if i should use the compost from a big composting facility, they take in all your yard waste and what not then compost it and sell it to landscapers and home owners.I do notice wood chips and sometimes little parts of plastic bags in the compost as well. Since this stuff is outside would it be bad to bring indoors for my organic soil?
i can get this compost as well as aged bark fines at my work but not sure if they would be good for my organic soil.
would love to hear some knowledgeable organic growers opinions on whether its ok to use.
thanks

 

[farmingfisherman]

just wondering if i should use the compost from a big composting facility, they take in all your yard waste and what not then compost it and sell it to landscapers and home owners.I do notice wood chips and sometimes little parts of plastic bags in the compost as well. Since this stuff is outside would it be bad to bring indoors for my organic soil?
i can get this compost as well as aged bark fines at my work but not sure if they would be good for my organic soil.
would love to hear some knowledgeable organic growers opinions on whether its ok to use.
thanks

Might get lucky you might not. We have a local soil composter center here that was selling their specialty planting mix which turned out to be contaminated with a herbicide, many people lost their entire gardens because of it.

 

[LawnXweeds]

I'd suggest not because you never know what kind of shit people put on their lawns. Pesticides, fungicides, synthetic fert, etc will all be present in that compost. Nevermind the pet waste and possible bad guy bacteria or diseases. This is especially true if you say you've seen plastic in it. hard pass.

 

[Huflungpoo]

Just a 3rd opinion, I agree with everything posted above.

Find a good local compost if you can. I know there are a handful of guys within an hour or two of me that do make a reliably sourced conpost... I never knew they existed until I started talking to local gardeners.

otherwise there's a lot of talk in the organic "living soil" realm, surrounding Oly Mountain compost if you only need small amounts of it and are willing to mail order It. Fox Farms ocean forest pretty available in a lot of areas it seems too.

 

[LawnXweeds]

Just a 3rd opinion, I agree with everything posted above.

Find a good local compost if you can. I know there are a handful of guys within an hour or two of me that do make a reliably sourced conpost... I never knew they existed until I started talking to local gardeners.

otherwise there's a lot of talk in the organic "living soil" realm, surrounding Oly Mountain compost if you only need small amounts of it and are willing to mail order It. Fox Farms ocean forest pretty available in a lot of areas it seems too.

Yea, absolutely source it locally if possible. Go a couple miles outside town and find some smallish organic farms and I guarantee they have some good compost.

 

[JustBlazin]

thanks for your responses,
ya I'm thinking not. Who knows what people bring to that place, glad i didnt try and use some,don't want any chemicals in my herbs. Thanks for all you help

 

[hillbill]

Worst infestation of Fungus Gnats ever a t my house arrived in local nursery “premium compost”. I also have brought in hundreds of centipedes from my outside compost. Also a few lizards and unidentified reptile eggs Now my own EWC and “Back To Nature” brand Cotton Burr Compost are my standard compost in mixes.

 

[SnidleyBluntash]

Compost =/= organic. Who know what some idiots threw in there.

 

[Northwood]

Worst infestation of Fungus Gnats ever a t my house arrived in local nursery “premium compost”. I also have brought in hundreds of centipedes from my outside compost. Also a few lizards and unidentified reptile eggs Now my own EWC and “Back To Nature” brand Cotton Burr Compost are my standard compost in mixes.

Both centipedes and lizards are predators and beneficial. It would be so cool to have a bunch of green anoles handing in the branches of your plants. I miss living in Florida for a few reasons like that, but then I remember the "other" things and thank god I'm not there anymore. lol

 

[hillbill]

We do not like free range 5 lined skinks as indoor pets. Centipedes are fine also, outside. Unidentified eggs were reburied In the compost pile, probably Brown Snake as I have a couple hang out here.

 

[myke]

I usually have powdery mildew problems in my outdoor veg/flower garden.All the plants end up in my city's compost.I can only assume the other 500 000 gardeners do the same.

 

[Growitpondifarm]

These large municipal compost piles are fine. These piles get super hot for long periods of times. There’s no way pathogens have any better chance of surviving that then at a smaller composting facility. Regarding the pesticides and/or synthetic ferts, if the pile is getting hot and breaking down then bacteria and fungal populations are present and active therefore IMO the compost is fine. I use municipal compost regularly without issues regarding what has been stated. The big issue I have run into regarding these large facility Compost’s is that they tend to run acidic depending on the areas of the world you’re in. Locally the pile consists of a lot of yard waste aka fallen leaves which tend to be acidic. Makes good compost but I have just found you need to amend it with some lime or oyster shell. If you’re on a budget have no fear using the free stuff. Obviously there are better options but it will work just fine