There was one poster, Behla, who put grass clippings around her roses in California and they went downhill with fungal diseases like my tomatoes. We use the same varieties of tomatoes every year, and the only year with root rot was the year planted in 4" of clippings as mulch (decomposed through the winter, and soaking wet in the spring). Other years we put FRESH grass clippings and rototille with the soil in the spring with zero fungal diseases, and bumper crops of tomatoe. I checked with several University extensions as why, listed in this order: University of Missouri, University of Colorado, and University of Idaho - I was trying to find out the time frame that grass clipping release its nitrogen. Previously the answer was 1 month, but from the below data, it's faster, 2 weeks. That explains why it didn't do my tomatoes any good when I left the clippings to decompose over the long winter, versus a bumper crop when I used it fresh in the spring. Below are the data from several University Extensions: Grass clippings returned to the lawn provide up to 25 percent of your lawn's total fertilizer needs. Clippings contain about 4 percent nitrogen, 2 percent potassium and 1 percent phosphorus. While decomposing, they also serve indirectly as a food source for the bacteria in the soil. Yes, grass clippings used as a mulch should be built up gradually to a 1-inch layer using dry grass. Greater thickness can inhibit the penetration of moisture and oxygen into the soil, and excessive heat and foul odors may develop. Do not mulch with clippings from a lawn that has been treated with a weed control product within the last two weeks. Research at the University of Missouri shows that grass clippings can supply 25 percent of a lawn�s total fertilizer needs. A study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that the N from grass clippings began showing up in the growing grass within 2 weeks. Here is a link that might be useful: Don't bag it - recycle your grass clippings

bsmith - having looked at some more literature, I've softened my stance on both triclopyr and fluroxypyr a good bit. I think it would be fine to use your grass clippings with a few caveats - these are my views on how to manage the risk to an extremely low and what I would consider acceptable level: 1. I wouldn't collect any grass clippings until after 4 mowing of treated grass. 2. The composting should go through a good thermophilic phase reaching at least 135 ðF for 5 days. 3. The compost needs to be fully cured and mature before applying it to soil. With those steps I would have no reservation about compost made with those clippings, provided that the herbicides were used as directed on the labels (i.e., no excesses, etc.).

Mulch is a good think to help moderate the soil temps and moisture. Grass clippings can be great or bad depending on the situation. If it is full of grass and weed seeds, it might not be great in the veggie garden. If it is cut from one of those lawns with no weeds or seed heads, it will probably be much better as mulch though you want to get it spread quickly before it can mat together into nasty clumps (grass left sitting for much time in plastic bags can turn into ugly stuff.) As to bugs in mulch, well it does offer habitat to bugs. The first season of organic gardening after many seasons of chemicals in a garden, the bad bugs might be overwhelming. With some time, the populations of creatures should even out a bit so the good will balance the bad and the garden can grow healthier. I've not gardened in hard clay soil but I've heard many people who have made their clay more workable by keeping it mulched and moist. I can say my sandy soil is greatly improved by keeping it mulched and moist. In my hot humid climate, organic matter breaks down quickly so I have to add lots of mulch often to keep a good thick layer going. Here is a link that might be useful: www.TCLynx.com

A few days in I felt the pile through the tarp on top, I could feel some good heat. The top of the tarp has cooled down since. Because of daylight saving time I was able to have light to turn the pile in the morning today. It's been 9 days since the pile was built. I used a flat-tined fork to do most of the work. it was quite smelly at times. There was no wind at all so the fumes wafted into my face. Not good, once the smell was intense enough that I actually could taste the fermenting horse poo. Yuk. The pile is looking quite nice. The interior was very hot, I could feel it radiating. It steamed nicely. While turning it my less-than-enthusiastic son sprayed the pile with water and occasionally broke up the chunks. A few years ago I adjusted the plumbing so I could have hot water outside, this was for the kids to play in the sprinkler on slightly cooler days. Didn't think it would be so handy for the compost. This is the original pile with the wire removed. It had sagged about 3 inches within the enclosure over 9 days. You can see the steam. You can also see the lack of wind. I wish there was a little, the smell hurt. On Halloween I added a large amount of pumpkin guts with seeds. These seeds sprouted. Pretty cool! They are now deep in the pile so they will die. I guess these seeds are now officially called "malted pumpkin seeds". Anyone make whiskey out of these ever? Here is after turning. The pile is a lot smaller, probably 20% loss.