Well, perhaps if one wanted to use it for container plants it might be best to make a 'tea' for watering and foliar spray. A number of local gardening gurus whom I regard highly swear by the stuff for improving soils, plant resistance to disease/pests and especially as a component in a seed-starting mix. But I can understand that the dynamics are different in containers relative to drainage, etc.

wesc2g Nice research regarding sludge. Scary to think that so many people put their faith in minimal EPA and USDA regulations when there is an overt and blatant disregard for public health at large. It is this kind of irresponsibility that dominates the agricultural and chemical market, all for the agenda of the profit motive. There's a man in my city who swears human feces is the best fertilizer on the planet. He's overweight, diabetic and on a slew of medications. I guess as long as he eats his own crops, and doesn't feed them to others unaware of his methods, there isn't really a problem- it's all cyclical. When corporate hands get ahold of the mass mephitic melting pot of sludge, however, and market it for homeowner and landscaper use, a dilemma of ethical responsibility emerges. Human feces--pardon the french and the pun-- can be some pretty volatile sh!t, especially considering the poor quality of food in this country and the over-medicated public. I personally don't want fertilizer or food tainted with even trace amounts of synthesized chemicals, antibiotics, virulent bacteria, parasites, viruses, or any of the other goodies that have partied in poo since the industrial revolution. It's too risky, and in my opinion it's a problem. I think we should look at the waste facilities providing sludge for corporations like Scotts, who in turn sell to the public, and we should also be much more critical of federal regulation committees in order to hold them at higher standards. Thanks again, and I will definitely do much more research on this topic. This is another good link that was attached to one of the others: http://www.iatp.org/iatp/publications.cfm?accountID=421&refID=104203

Scarlettblue, If you don't have a use for leftover chemical fertilizer, and don't personally know anyone who would like to have it, here's what to do: you should find out what your municipality does about Household Hazardous Waste collection. Often times there are mobile collection events for HHW as well as central locations where you can drop stuff off. In the last two cities I've lived in they have had the mobile events, and if one is held near you, they are very handy - they set everything up in a parking lot somewhere on a weekend, you put the stuff you want to get rid of in your trunk, and they take it out for you - done. Please DON'T put such items as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in the household trash. Your local government doesn't want that stuff going in the landfill any more than you do. That's why they provide specialized collection and disposal services for it. Even more so, DON'T flush it down the house drains. And not that you would do this, but NEVER EVER EVER dump it into a storm drain, because that WILL put the stuff right into the local waterways by the most direct possible route. Just to give a typical example, here is the listing of items that my city treats as Household Hazardous Waste: http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/hazardous-waste Paint and Paint Related Materials Solvent-based paints and stains Paint thinner Varnish Paint stripper and paint brush cleaners (NOTE: Latex paint is not hazardous.) Lawn and Garden Products and Outdoor Products Pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides) Chemical fertilizers Grill type propane cylinders (up to 20 lbs.) Swimming pool chemicals Kitchen, Bathroom Products and Cleaning Solvents Cleaning solvents Fire Extinguishers Aerosol cans Bathroom and tile cleaner Toilet bowl cleaner Oven cleaners Drain cleaners Automotive Products Used motor oil Antifreeze Lead-acid batteries Auto body repair products Brake fluid Degreasers Flammable Materials Kerosene Old gasoline Other Materials Fluorescent Light Tubes (transport in original box if possible) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) PCBs Dioxin forming compounds Mercury Asbestos (Non-Friable Only) for Information on proper asbestos removal, go to City of Philadelphia Health Department's web site Artists' paints Photographic chemicals Lead products, including solder, fishing weights, and similar items Household Batteries Rechargeable computer and cell phone batteries Button cell batteries used for hearing aids, watches, and calculators (NOTE: Household batteries size D, C, AA, AAA and 9 volt are not considered hazardous.) Other Household Products Moth balls Stain and spot removers

why not try using it in small concentrations with the worm castings? Have you used a synthetic fertilizer in the past on your garden? Did you still have worms in your garden? Keep the concentration down and there really shouldn't be a problem.