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Re: compost/bloodmeal

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Concerning animal ingredients in compost, I would just like to offer some
thoughts:

1)They are not necessary for good compost; alfalfa meal and rock phosphate
are good sources of N and P respectively. Phosphorus shouldn't be added to
compost unless the soil the compost is destined for is really deficient in
P, as shown by a soil test...

2) There are concerns around bonemeal that may have European (and especially
British) origins and be carrying prions which are the causal agent of
spongioform encephalopathy (e.g. Mad Cow Disease) and which are apparently
*not* destroyed in the composting process

3) as mentioned already, blood meal used to excess, especially in an overly
moist compost, may be attractive to what are euphemistically referred to as
'vectors'--which range from flies to grizzly bears depending on yer
location.

Having said all the above, let me admit that I do put small animal
mortalities like birds and baby rabbits into large compost piles in the
early (hot) phase of composting---maybe half a dozen total in the last three
years--but they are always placed deep in the pile out of reach of flies or
animals...

I think the usual advice against animal matter in compost piles is basically
well founded; if I needed to purchase an N source for composting it would be
alfalfa (rabbit pellets, horse feed, alfalfa meal) rather than blood
meal--check the feed stores for good prices. I just got a note from a friend
in BC saying that horse feed could be had at 6$ per 40 kg (that's 88 pounds
for you non-metric types...:-)

Finally, even leaf compost has nutrients in it and when kitchen scraps are
added can provide everything your plants need...with clean grass clippings
too, yer all set to grow...

Frank--noting that since all flesh is ultimately grass, plant matter compost
will get you there...

-----Original Message-----
From: Unlisted <THYME@OREGON.UOREGON.EDU>
To: sqft@listbot.com <sqft@listbot.com>
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 1998 2:39 PM
Subject: compost/bloodmeal


>Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>
>it's fine to include bloodmeal in your compost, but be aware it may attract
>pests.  our dogs adore bloodmeal-very primative.  they will eat it by the
>boxful if i leave it in their reach.
>
>
>thyme
>
>
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