"Compost Test" results--anybody have it done?
- Subject: "Compost Test" results--anybody have it done?
- From: M* K*
- Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 02:58:28 -0400
- Importance: Normal
- List-archive: <http://www.hort.net/lists/pumpkins/> (Web Archive)
Anybody have a test done on their compost, similar to a soil test? My local
facility, Town of Amherst Compost Facility/Engineering Dept (East Amherst,
NY) did a test on 12/3/01 & 3/15/02 and these were the results as published:
ORGANIC CONTENT 50-55%
pH 7.4-8.0
MOISTURE CONTENT 45-54%
SOLUBLE SALT CONTENT 5.1-5.8 mmhos/cm
TOTAL NITROGEN 22.3 LBS/TON
PHOSPHOROUS 6.5 LBS/TON
POTASSIUM 13.2 LBS/TON
CALCIUM 59.7 LBS/TON
MAGNESIUM 13.6 LBS/TON
Does this mean the compost has a fertilizer rating of 1.1-0.3-0.66?
Seeing this is done by a town/government, I'm assuming the results were
accurate and "true" meaning no ad hype? The literature stated "high quality
compost product that is rich in stable organic matter... a mixture of leaves
and grass clippings processed... The composting process is closely monitored
to accelerate the natural degredation process of organic material. The
compost process generates enough heat to pasteurize the product, making the
compost free of plant pathogens and weed seeds."
The finished compost from the facility is screened through 1/2" screen but I
also screen it through 1/4" screen; would this change the nutrients by
eliminating any woody matter that didn't finish decomposing?
It's strange that the pamphlet lists "Lawn, Tree, Shrub and Flower Bed
Establishment, Turf Maintenance, Decorative Mulch" under "Ideal for use in
all your Landscaping Projects" but nowhere mentions Vegetable Gardening.
I use about 6-10" of it, and my sweet corn is planted in 12" of straight
compost (corn's grown nearly 4ft tall since 4" transplants put in around
Memorial day;) I also bury my pumpkin vines/joints with it.
Does anybody have similar test results to compare? I'm most curious to
compare the numbers as I haven't seen compost test results on the internet
anywhere. I also thought finished compost would be VERY high in organic
matter %. How do the numbers compare to the needs of AG's? Thanks.
Mark
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