Biosolids in the Garden?
mlamorea
12 years ago
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Kimmsr
12 years agomlamorea
12 years agoRelated Discussions
What Compost for my first vegetable garden.
Comments (11)Here is a little info on it. Thanks everyone for the rapid replies, I was a convinced at first it was good stuff but now I am a little woried. BioComp BioComp®, a Class I quality compost, is a stabilized organic material that can be used with all plant types and in any type of soil (sandy to clay). This compost (screened 3/8 inch minus) greatly enhances overall soil structure and improves movement of air and water within the soil  essential to healthy plant growth. When salts are a critical design factor, BioComp® is the compost of choice. Low salts also mean that you can safely double the amount of compost used and still have vigorous plant growth. Salt in BioComp® are primarily from nutrient salts and not sodium chloride, as indicated by an ag index greater than 10. BioComp® is listed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture as an amendment approved for use on Organically Certified Crops. Independent testing by Colorado State University confirm that BioComp® safely provides higher levels of nutrients. Application Rates: As a Top Dressing  BioComp® can be used as a top dressing, however the large particles limit its use to where grass is mowed high.  1/4" to 3/8 (1 to 2 CY/1000 sq ft) As a Soil Amendment  BioComp® can be used at any time of the year, in any type of soil. It is especially well suited for use in clay soils where it can be used at twice the normal application rate.  3 CY/1000 sq ft or 1" Deep  6 CY/1000 sq ft or 2" Deep As a Mulch This is one of the few composts that can be safely used an a mulch. It can be used for the protection of flower beds, especially perennials and sensitive root crops.  6 CY/1000 sq ft or 2" Inches Deep  12 CY/1000 sq ft or 4" Inches Deep (Fall application only. Till in the spring.) This compost product has been sampled and tested as required by the Seal of Testing Assurance Program of the United States Composting Council (USCC). Test results are available upon request by calling A1 Organics at 970-454-3492. Class I Compost...See MoreGood soil maker: biosolids
Comments (4)I'd think twice about this as well. My experience has been a disaster using biosolids. One area was a master gardener demonstration garden and the other was a small 5 acre natural area seeded in native grasses. I was not involved in purchasing the stuff either time, but both areas where this has been used resulted in massive amounts plant death, poor to no seed germination, massive amounts of weeds and personally wouldn't stick ungloved hands into this highly odiferous mess. Maybe it's the particular product that was obtained in the Colorado Springs area but nasty all the same. Obviously not a premium product and much more trouble than it was worth....See MoreBiosolids and Tomatoes
Comments (6)Three Informed Views on Sewer Sludge (aka Biosolids) Dr. Caroline Snyder - "Land-applied municipal sewage sludge (biosolids) is a highly complex and unpredictable mixture of biological and chemical pollutants. Biosolids generated in our large industrialized urban centers is very likely the most pollutant- rich waste mixture of the 21st century." Dr. Marilyn Cameron - "We are concerned that farmers are not being provided adequate information about biosolids and the negative impacts that its use could have on your soils, groundwat...er and surface water sources, livestock health, and property values. Farmers will be the ones left paying the price for any damaged land, contaminated water, or human, wildlife and livestock illnesses, etc. Farmers may also suffer losses resulting from lack of consumer confidence in local foods" Dr. Richard Honour - ""Few in any governments appreciate that nearly all chronic diseases are caused by long-term exposure to low levels of environmental contaminants and pollutants. We should be trying to minimize this exposure, not amplifying it. It is time to end land disposal of Toxic Sewer sludge, and look at cleaner, greener alternatives - gasification / pyrolysis." Gardening with Biosolids see https://www.planetnatural.com/compost-sewage/ & http://biosolidsbattleblog.blogspot.ca/2016_09_01_archive.html …...See MorePrepping soil in Spring?
Comments (24)Between the discussions about milorganite and the cautions about fertilizing without knowing what you are fertilizing for, this thread has sort of been hijacked away from the primary discussion and I apologize to the OP for that. But these divergent paths also need to be explored and explanations given when they arise :-) John Donovan, testing for lead or other contaminates is not part of a typical soil test. This is an entirely different process, often not handled by extension soil testing services (usually need an independent and quite sophisticated lab) and is quite a bit more expensive than a standard soil test. Plus, you must specify what contaminates you wish your soil sample to be tested for. If you suspect contaminates in your soil, of course have it tested if you wish. But be aware this is not a standard soil nutrient test. And tends to be of minimal concern to most gardeners (soil contamination by heavy metals, etc. is not at all common). wayne, the issues of over fertilizing (fertilizing when it is not needed) are very well established and documented. Side dressing a vegetable garden with a slow release organic fert is unlikely to fall under these concerns, especially with an experienced gardener. But not everyone who visits here IS experienced and a great many gardeners think that if a little fertilizer is good, a lot more more must be much better. Improper or overdone fertilization - both by home gardeners and by farmers - is a primary source of water pollution in this country. And damage to soil biology and various crops can occur if specific nutrients build up to high levels. This is often a worse situation than if the nutrients were deficient or missing altogether. btw, I will take you comments as a bit of a compliment, but I am no spring chicken myself and have been gardening for decades, both personally and in a professional, consulting capacity. And age only denotes experience - not necessarily knowledge (no offense intended :-)) Finally Milorganite is a perfectly adequate fertilizer that is NOT approved for organic production (as are any biosolids) and which many gardeners are not inclined for whatever reason to apply on any edible crops. It is no better nor more biologically active than compost and in fact is quite a bit less so. It is great to apply to lawns but I don't want it near my strawberries! YMMV...See MoreLloyd
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