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Compost question
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Posted by aroidgardener 9b (My Page) on Mon, Feb 8, 10 at 19:34
| OK, We went and got a huge load of compost from the Tampa City Waste site where they process yard waste. They have huge piles of compost and mulch.
The question is.....why would the compost smell so very bad? I'm thinking that maybe because the piles are so huge that they are not turned and don't get enough oxygen or something to that effect. I used it to help fill raised veggie beds but now I'm not so sure I should use it there. What do you guys think?
Last year I used it to mix in my plant beds and it smelled too, but not nearly as bad.
Thanks
Tina |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Compost question
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- Posted by brute Florida 10 (My Page) on
Tue, Feb 9, 10 at 7:55
What does your compost smell like? Opinions on this municipal compost vary greatly. Some feel it's not "organic" enough, and maybe even contaminated with God-knows-what.
This may be true, but you can't beat the price. Here in Sarasota County this compost is free and you're welcome to take as much as you want. I bring it home by the trailerload.
My veggie garden is rather large and it would cost a fortune to stock it with store-bought topsoil and compost. So, I go the cheap route. Everything seems to grow in it okay, and so far I don't seem to be poisoned by eating my produce, so, what the heck.
As far as creating my own "organic" compost pile, I already have, but it's slow going and rather small. I live alone and don't produce much kitchen waste. In the summertime this compost pile receives a pretty good amount of grass clippings. However, this process is slow and isn't producing much useful compost yet.
I really need this free county compost if I'm to continue gardening on this scale. |
RE: Compost question
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| Little I know about composting, I started mines less than a year ago, but this is my 2 cents... What I understand about the smell is that it is caused by a wrong combination of greens/browns. Too much green (Nitrogen) and too little brown causes it to rot and causes the bad smell. I also understand it might also be caused by lack of air (like when they are in plastic bags for long time). So if the pile you got is already de-composted, try spreading it and get some air before using it. If it is still decomposting, add some browns (I like shredded paper) and see if it improves the smell. I read somewhere that a way to know if a pile already decomposted is by taking a sample, put it in a bag and wait a couple of days, if it has bad smell it is still decomposting. So my bet is that your pile is not completely ready. Fabio |
RE: Compost question
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| Tina, As Fabio already said, when compost smells bad, it is usually one of two things: Not enough turning and anaerobic bacterial growth, or too much moisture or greens versus brown ratio. I agree with what he said. Air it out, add shredded paper or a bunch of leaves, and hold back on water for a little. I think it will be fine if you do some/all of those things. Have fun with your garden! Anna |
RE: Compost question
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| I've been using free compost and mulch from Martin County for two years. You're right, there is a smell when you pick up the mulch, but it lasts only a few days. Once the compost is in your yard, the smell disappears. Don't be put of by the smell - your plants will love it. After all, its plentiful and free - and lessens the need for chemical fertilizers that have impacted so many of our lakes and waterways. |
RE: Compost question
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| I just wish the stuff that Orange Co. puts out wasn't so contaminated with glass, metal and plastic. I felt violated just looking at the stuff. Does anyone know if the Volusia landfill just east of I-4 on 44 has free compost and if so, is it decent quality? |
RE: Compost question
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| That's not a landfill, it's a dumping station, but they do have a big pile of compost if you could call it that. I looked at it once, some time back, and I wouldn't haul it home. john |
RE: Compost question
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| Palmcity, Do you get the Martin County compost at the dump off 714? bernie |
RE: Compost question
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| Thanks everyone for responding. Our place here charges $15 a truckload for compost or mulch.....which is cheap. Can't beat the price, it covers a large area. The smell of the compost is manure-like. Let's put it this way, my kids are saying that our yard smells like poop. I have already installed it in my raised veggie beds and in a large front raised bed. So, will see what I can do... Thanks for the info and advice. Tina |
RE: Compost question
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- Posted by brute Florida 10 (My Page) on
Wed, Feb 10, 10 at 8:17
Aroidgardener, What do you mean by "truckload"? You're not talking about a full-size dumptruck, are you? I used to be employed driving those things, and they hold 15 yards. Fifteen yards is a LOT of compost!
A dollar per yard would indeed be a terrific bargain.
I'm guessing you mean a pickup truck load, right? |
RE: Compost question
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| Brute, I got the same stuff Tina did, about a year ago. It was about 15 dollars per giant scoop - whatever it fits in. We hired a hauling service company, and the biggest commercial dump truck they had cost me 30 dollars (for compost) to fill up. Of course, the dump truck delivery cost almost 3 times as much, but overall, it was a good deal! It was a gigantic pile. Although it has occasional foreign material in it, the roses took off like never before in it. I have had lots of happy plants growing on that compost. I left some aside with plastic under it, for later use - and when I got to it months later, it was *loaded* with earthworms. Fat earthworms everywhere. I am planning another dump truck delivery in a month, it is worth it :) |
RE: Compost question
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If you are concerned with the contents of municipal compost , ask the guys who make it what they grind up .
Some places will grind treated lumber , invasive plants and other undesirables .
Not something I want in my vegetable bed .
Each facility has different methods .
Ask the people who actually do the work rather than listen to the official word. |
RE: Compost question
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Some places will grind treated lumber , invasive plants and other undesirables .
Not something I want in my vegetable bed . Sure. Whatever people put out for debris pick up day goes there. Luckily, invasive plants and seeds do not stand a chance, as the pile is steaming hot.
When we went to pick up the first load, there was steam coming off the pile. It is either (a) grow in sand we got (b)pay a lot more and get it from a nursery and trust them to do the right thing
or (c)get compost from the county and give it a try (C) Worked like a charm for me. I can finally grow roses. We had a retaining wall built and two dump trucks worth of county compost later, plants are loving it Notice a giant eggplant plant growing straight in the compost, in the ground. Plant grew and produced for more than a year Although not perfect for all, city compost is a pretty good option |
RE: Compost question
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| Bernie, compost in Martin County is available at the waste dump (former landfill) off SR 714, Martin Hwy, just east of I-95. There are several grades, ask for the "homeowner" grade. The other grades are used by Martin County for landscaped medians and parks. |
RE: Compost question
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| Brute, by truck load, I mean a regular truck (well with the long bed instead of standard bed). It is a lot of dirt still and worth the $15. Olya, I was hoping you'd pop in. I remember reading that you used this compost which prompted me to go there. Last year it was not this smelly. It was steaming when they put it in our truck. I would do a dump truck, but it's so much easier to drive our truck to the spot we want the compost and put it right where it is to go than to move it by wheelbarrow. So, that's what's keeping us from doing that. I sure could use a dump truck or two though. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure it's OK to use. It is mainly for my veggie garden and I wanted to get 2 more loads on Friday. Thanks for the pictures of your garden, Olya. |
RE: Compost question
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| palmcityfl, I don't have a truck or trailer, can the free compost from Martin County be put in heavy-duty garbage bags? I really need some compost but my garden isn't that large so I don't need much. Also I checked with Saint Lucie County and they don't have compost...figures. |
RE: Compost question
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Thank you Tina!
I do not remember the compost being too smelly, but it did have a "manure" smell to it for a few days...
If we had a truck, we certainly would do that instead of a dump truck! The dump truck delivery was 75 dollars, so it is probably just as cost effective to come with your own pick up truck. I think if you are mixing it with existing soil or top dressing, it will be no problem. Once I spread mine out, it was no longer steamy hot. And I wish I took pictures of the abundance of earthworms in the pile I left for later...it was a small pile with plastic under, sitting in the shade...The earthworms were big and plump, and just everywhere! :):) |
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