Comments on: Composting http://www.organicgarden.org.uk Help and support for organic food gardeners Sun, 11 Sep 2011 01:08:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: col2 http://www.organicgarden.org.uk/gardening/making-compost-the-myths-and-realities/#comment-5 col2 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:16:24 +0000 http://organicgarden.org.uk/blog/?page_id=234#comment-5 The other thing I forgot to say is that making compost is such a variable process. Some people just pile everything up and wait for it to rot. That's fine but the compost produced will be different in nutrient content etc to that made in a more systematic way. I would guess that the effects on pesticides and other contaminants is also different. Also, when people talk of leaving compost for a year or so do they mean making it over a year or making it more quickly and leaving it to mature for a year? There are just too many variables to predict what would happen. The other thing I forgot to say is that making compost is such a variable process. Some people just pile everything up and wait for it to rot. That’s fine but the compost produced will be different in nutrient content etc to that made in a more systematic way. I would guess that the effects on pesticides and other contaminants is also different. Also, when people talk of leaving compost for a year or so do they mean making it over a year or making it more quickly and leaving it to mature for a year? There are just too many variables to predict what would happen.

]]> By: col2 http://www.organicgarden.org.uk/gardening/making-compost-the-myths-and-realities/#comment-4 col2 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:41:06 +0000 http://organicgarden.org.uk/blog/?page_id=234#comment-4 I am not sure that I would use anything that contains, or had contained, water retention gels even after composting. I don't think they would break down much as they are designed to withstand water and soil. As for pesticides being broken down in composting, again I am not so sure. Some weed killers that are said to be inert as soon as they touch soil have been shown to survive 6 months (I have some links to the research if you would like it.). Again I know that it is a common idea that composting breaks them down and makes everything safe but I have not seen the scientific evidence to prove that yet. Like many things in gardening these myths/ideas are just repeated time after time without anybody ever challenging them. So, I would not use such a mix, even after composting, as I would just not take the risk. I hope that helps? Colin I am not sure that I would use anything that contains, or had contained, water retention gels even after composting. I don’t think they would break down much as they are designed to withstand water and soil. As for pesticides being broken down in composting, again I am not so sure. Some weed killers that are said to be inert as soon as they touch soil have been shown to survive 6 months (I have some links to the research if you would like it.). Again I know that it is a common idea that composting breaks them down and makes everything safe but I have not seen the scientific evidence to prove that yet. Like many things in gardening these myths/ideas are just repeated time after time without anybody ever challenging them.

So, I would not use such a mix, even after composting, as I would just not take the risk. I hope that helps?

Colin

]]> By: baobab http://www.organicgarden.org.uk/gardening/making-compost-the-myths-and-realities/#comment-3 baobab Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:22:46 +0000 http://organicgarden.org.uk/blog/?page_id=234#comment-3 When using materials from containers/baskets etc they may have peat, inorganic fertilizer, pesticide residues, water retention gels. Is there a minimum period of composting before it can be regarded as suitable for growing plants? The Soil Association used to specify a minimum 1 year period of composting. When using materials from containers/baskets etc they may have peat, inorganic fertilizer, pesticide residues, water retention gels. Is there a minimum period of composting before it can be regarded as suitable for growing plants? The Soil Association used to specify a minimum 1 year period of composting.

]]>