Store Bought Compost vs EWC

[think_fast]

I would like to use compost in my garden but I'm limited to using store bought pre packaged organic compost from my loc garden store for about $5 a bag. Does this stuff have any benefits over using EWC exclusively? ATM I'm using 1 gallon store compost and 1 gallon EWC for a 6 gallon bin of soil.

 

[Gascanastan]

Most places will let you look at the product....but if not,tear open the bag at the store..fuck 'em,you aren't going to pay for junk you can't see behind black or white plastic bags.

Look for dark color,sand,soil,and some wood debris. You don't want to see 90% wood debris..or 90% sand. You want a nice looking compost that is rich and dark.

A good compost is as effective as EWC.

Some brands to avoid:

Down to Earth
Teufel
Gardener & Bloom

Best to just make your own~

 

[unclefishstick]

the ancient forest is imo a good bagged compost...its tough to get a pile going here in the desert...

 

[think_fast]

,tear open the bag at the store..fuck 'em,you aren't going to pay for junk you can't see behind black or white plastic bags.

LOL I think I've got to work up to that degree of entitlement but luckily the bag I got has visible wood matter and it's very dark, though I'll have to inspect closer for signs of sand.

I'm in the process of creating my own compost but in the months before anything is realized I think I will be supplementing my soil with store bought

 

[Gascanastan]

..its tough to get a pile going here in the desert...

You can do it...believe in your own abilities.
Fuck the desert...cover your compost with moistened canvas or burlap to keep it from drying prematurely.

LOL I think I've got to work up to that degree of entitlement but luckily the bag I got has visible wood matter and it's very dark, though I'll have to inspect closer for signs of sand.

I'm in the process of creating my own compost but in the months before anything is realized I think I will be supplementing my soil with store bought

There are some brands that have 90% wood debris which look like the chipped particles of wood have been rolled in mud and then stuffed in a bag...clearly not a proper compost.

 

[jerry111165]

the ancient forest is imo a good bagged compost...its tough to get a pile going here in the desert...

See, I thought exactly the opposite. I thought it was more like bad peat - not compost.

j

 

[unclefishstick]

You can do it...believe in your own abilities.
Fuck the desert...cover your compost with moistened canvas or burlap to keep it from drying prematurely.



There are some brands that have 90% wood debris which look like the chipped particles of wood have been rolled in mud and then stuffed in a bag...clearly not a proper compost.

i tried to fuck the desert,got cactus spines!
its also really hard for me to balance the inputs,not very much green material is produced in my yard (yet...) im working on getting garden beds built this winter so i can at the very least recycle my root balls into a veggie garden,once that gets going it will be much easier for me to get a proper pile going....and i may actually repair my outside hose bibs ...if i had running water outside it would also be easier...we get 9 inches or less of rain per year here...

See, I thought exactly the opposite. I thought it was more like bad peat - not compost.

j

im no expert like many of the regulars here,but the ancient forest is black as sin and rich and earthy smelling,finely textured but with some chunks here and there,it seems like pretty darn nice compost to me.
just being from general hydroponics doesnt make it evil...

 

[Gascanastan]

i tried to fuck the desert,got cactus spines!
its also really hard for me to balance the inputs,not very much green material is produced in my yard (yet...) im working on getting garden beds built this winter so i can at the very least recycle my root balls into a veggie garden,once that gets going it will be much easier for me to get a proper pile going....and i may actually repair my outside hose bibs ...if i had running water outside it would also be easier...we get 9 inches or less of rain per year here...



im no expert like many of the regulars here,but the ancient forest is black as sin and rich and earthy smelling,finely textured but with some chunks here and there,it seems like pretty darn nice compost to me.
just being from general hydroponics doesnt make it evil...

Again.....consistency in bagged product varies. Life is life a box of chocolates with bagged compost.
If it looks good to you compared to other shitty brands....it may be your only choice other than having a superior product shipped hundreds of miles...and that will hurt.

Best get some water running out there Unc....sounds like yer on the right track bro~

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Malibu Biodynamic Compost is one to consider on the West Coast

CC

 

[Gascanastan]

Malibu Biodynamic Compost is one to consider on the West Coast

CC

Wurd~...good stuff...the best maybe?

 

[ClackamasCootz]

For a bagged product one would be hard-pressed to find something better, IMHO

 

[unclefishstick]

Again.....consistency in bagged product varies. Life is life a box of chocolates with bagged compost.
If it looks good to you compared to other shitty brands....it may be your only choice other than having a superior product shipped hundreds of miles...and that will hurt.

Best get some water running out there Unc....sounds like yer on the right track bro~

actually it comes from alaska so almost as bad as having bat poo shipped from indonesia!

 

[jerry111165]

If you're on the east coast/northeast, look into the Coast of Maine Lobster Compost and related products. Up here in our corner of the country it's our "best" - for sure.

J

 

[ClackamasCootz]

If you're on the east coast/northeast, look into the Coast of Maine Lobster Compost and related products. Up here in our corner of the country it's our "best" - for sure.

J

Thru a weird twist of fate I had the opportunity to try a couple of bags of the Coast of Maine compost a couple of years ago.

Definitely a solid humus to use. Clean, screened, and viable.

CC

 

[jerry111165]

actually it comes from alaska so almost as bad as having bat poo shipped from indonesia!

Tim has done some research on these "Alaska humus" products and plain old sphagnum peat beat them out in microbe populations...

And it's probably 3-4 times the cost of peat.

While I understand for some people it's harder to get quality organic products than others, It simply doesn't make sense to me to need to go into hydroponic stores to buy your organic products. I drugstores got way too much of my money over the years - Now that I've changed my gardening mentality they won't be getting another nickel from me.

Ever. If I am not making it myself these days I can get what I need from a farm or cattle feed type store. No more hydro stores. No more General Hydroponics. I don't need them and I don't want them.

J

 

[ClackamasCootz]

But what about your Cal-Mag issues? Ars-Cad Defribulation?

Consider this path you're considering taking......

 

[jerry111165]

As long as I continue to pH my compost tea, check my runoff and the ppm of my botanicals I should be fine - right??

J

 

[ClackamasCootz]

The would depend on how many lumens you're running I would have to think......

 

[jerry111165]

The would depend on how many lumens you're running I would have to think......

It's all about 3 words anyhow - N-P-K.

Man it's getting chilly here - high of 36 today. Gots to run - cya.

J

 

[unclefishstick]

Tim has done some research on these "Alaska humus" products and plain old sphagnum peat beat them out in microbe populations...

And it's probably 3-4 times the cost of peat.

While I understand for some people it's harder to get quality organic products than others, It simply doesn't make sense to me to need to go into hydroponic stores to buy your organic products. I drugstores got way too much of my money over the years - Now that I've changed my gardening mentality they won't be getting another nickel from me.

Ever. If I am not making it myself these days I can get what I need from a farm or cattle feed type store. No more hydro stores. No more General Hydroponics. I don't need them and I don't want them.

J

it makes more sense if you happen to work in a hydro store!shop discount rules!