Risk using city dump compost?
kskasia
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (37)
ericwi
13 years agonutsaboutflowers
13 years agoRelated Discussions
city compost....crap
Comments (22)Through the wisdom of a friend I figured out what the issue with this compost is. TOO MUCH SALT! Since this is purely made from the city wide organics and we consume too much salt and others like me will only put in items that are not healthy for either our worm bins or composters, the result is too much salty foods. That is why after about a year once the salt has diluted the soil is good. It's not acidic because if it was then my Hydrangea would be blue in colour and it is pink. The worms really don't like salt and it also acts like a preserver so even though it has lots of organic pieces like twigs it wont break down that quickly until the salt leaches away. Obviously some of you will get great compost from the city but most of us will find really lousy material, and are best to make your own or sometimes buy the expensive bagged stuff(which has never given me any problems before) So I have a stunted watermelon plant as a result of this and a Zuchinni plant that is dying also. But not too bad for this year. By next year the results should improve....See MoreUsing City Compost For Vegetable Gardens
Comments (8)g'day, ok can't vouch for waht may or may not happen over where you are, but over here that recycled stuff from the city is generated from all sorts of timber (old furniture included) and garden/tree waste that ends up on the landfill/refuse station site, so i guess in that case it could contain old cca treated lumber that has been dumped?. but they do add the solids from the sewerage treatment plant into and also what they term as low grade industrial liquid waste, that tells me they could add anything that they get that needs to be disposed of. i have bought bags of it from the nursery and used it, because sometimes you've just got to use what is available at the end of the day, there is viable seeds in it so you could end up with some weeds or even cucumbers or pumpkins popping up, we've had cucumbers and weeds not many as we mulch heavily. so under the premise that you need to do whatever you need to do, maybe wise yourself up on what is likely to go into it's production where you are and then use it with knowledge or don't use it what ever one chooses? after all it is recycling in the true sense hey? and as most live in cities with lots of air borne pollutants or get the wind drift of those pollutants from traffic or industry using the stuff may not be any more detrimental? len Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page...See MoreSF bay area city dump's compost quality
Comments (8)I have a somewhat different take than some on this post Some of us with really heavy clay simply need to amend our soil. I also live in the bay area and my soil is way to heavy for most plants to survive. I have tried to plant citrus and other plants in the native soil and they have done extremely poorly. What you don't want to do is to dig a hole in the clay and add top soil or something else that drains readily. Water will just collect in this hole at the interface between the two soils. This will reduce aeration to the roots and they will die from lack of oxygen. When amending my soil I try to dig it in so that there is a gradient. At the surface there is 100% amended soil. 1 foot down or so there is 50% clay/50% amended soil. 2 feet down it is 80% clay/20% amended soil. This way there is not a sharp interface between the two. With this technique I have had very good luck with most everything I have planted. Good luck. -Brett...See MoreBe careful of using free city compost as potting soil!
Comments (5)Grubs prefer moist soil. So, it is very likely that you added compost which attracted grubs, not the other way around. Same with snails. Snails seek moisture. http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2815&q=376940: After mating, females lay eggs in moist soil below turf or in landscape beds near turf. I found bunch of grubs this year in a bog garden area - moist rich soil is very much to their liking. I use city compost (not free, 15 dollars per load) and I honestly love it. When we brought our recent load, it was steaming hot, too hot to touch. I have some stored separately - and when it is dry, I do not get any bugs in it. I had some in a big container and little drainage, and the entire thing was swarming with earthworms. :)...See MoreDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years agomarlingardener
13 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years agonutsaboutflowers
13 years agogardenlen
13 years agozardthegardener
13 years agoannpat
13 years agoannpat
13 years agoanney
13 years agoannpat
13 years agoanney
13 years agoannpat
13 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years agodavid52 Zone 6
13 years agoannpat
13 years agoDan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years agoUser
13 years agodavid52 Zone 6
13 years agoannpat
13 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years agoannpat
13 years agokskasia
13 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
13 years agodaisyp
13 years agojohn_in_sc
13 years agoriverfarm
13 years agoesthers57
8 years agozzackey
8 years agohenry_kuska
8 years agostevie
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoKansas Gardener
2 months agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 months agolast modified: 2 months ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryRUSTIC STYLE10 Cabin Rental Basics for City Slickers
Stay warm, dry and safe while you’re enjoying winter cabin life with this valuable advice
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGOff the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?
What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home
Full StoryHOME INNOVATIONSNow Approaching the Emerald City
Urbanites are spraying moss graffiti on walls and covering roofs in plants — and city regulators and designers are supporting the cause
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDMy Houzz: Backyard Farming for a Kansas City Family
A backyard garden provides a family of 5 with organic seasonal produce. Here's how they do it
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Create a Rustic Garden, Even on a Tiny City Plot
Flea market and salvaged finds can give even the most urban garden the look and feel of a rural retreat
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNUsing White Marble: Hot Debate Over a Classic Beauty
Do you love perfection or patina? Here's how to see if marble's right for you
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNCooking With Color: When to Use White in the Kitchen
Make sure your snowy walls, cabinets and counters don't feel cold while you're riding white's popularity peak
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage
Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting
Full StoryTASTEMAKERSNew Series to Give a Glimpse of Life ‘Unplugged’
See what happens when city dwellers relocate to off-the-grid homes in a new show premiering July 29. Tell us: Could you pack up urban life?
Full Story
californian