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spurr · 10-14-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt.Cheeze1

DARC...I need to get into a more permanent space before taking on more life forms than I already have. Soon...soon my friend.

FWIW, I can vouch for the "Can-O-Worms" vermicompost bins, I bought 3 of them a few years ago and they work well for indoor bins in small spaces. They are very well designed, but I wish the holes from one level to the next were a bit larger in size.

10-14-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt.Cheeze1

I don't know if that's good or bad...all I know is that's the best damned compost $$$ can buy...should I roll up and get as much as possible before it turns to shit or what?
EDIT: BTW...I purchased a bag of kelp meal extract from Yelm's.....I suppose it's the same stuff eh? Should last me an eternity.

Ugh....just wrote a long response and then Safari closed on me and I lost it!!!!

Quick version:

1. Marwest is a good compost in my opinion if you're in that area for a local source.

2. Also looked at Diestel Turkey Farm's "Root Force" if you're near San Fran. It had excellent fungal hyphae, it was quite shocking to me the amount of microbial life it supported. Well worth the price if you're in that area.

3. Yelm's EWC is okay, but they have been known to cut corners or do what it takes to make a quick buck from my experience. I don't fully trust them based on my own interactions with them. That's not to say their EWC is bad, I know MM has tested it. It's more my own opinion of the owners. Not sure if they're selling Acadian or some local bull kelp that may not be as good as the N. Atlantic Sea Kelp. They do feed their worms manures.

Another WA option is Kitsap EZ Earth.
https://kitsapezearth.com/wp/
I looked at their EWC and it came back fine. They don't feed their worms any manures (which is nice for the vegans or those who don't want to risk any pathogens in their teas). Would be carrying their product ourselves if we could have agreed on a suitable quantity and bulk price (they weren't setup to sell wholesale by the yard is all).

Hope that helps,
CT

10-14-2010, 10:24 PM

CT, thanks for that link. did you look at the sifted or unsifted?

10-14-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwagg

CT, thanks for that link. did you look at the sifted or unsifted?

Can't remember....90% sure it was sifted, but I had been trying to get the unsifted for our purposes. From their website, it looks like they do good work by hiring people with disabilities. Holly James was the person I talked to.

10-14-2010, 10:48 PM

Been slowly working my way through Spurr's links....lot of info! Thanks for sharing!

guest2012y · 10-14-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT Guy

Ugh....just wrote a long response and then Safari closed on me and I lost it!!!!

Quick version:

1. Marwest is a good compost in my opinion if you're in that area for a local source.

2. Also looked at Diestel Turkey Farm's "Root Force" if you're near San Fran. It had excellent fungal hyphae, it was quite shocking to me the amount of microbial life it supported. Well worth the price if you're in that area.

3. Yelm's EWC is okay, but they have been known to cut corners or do what it takes to make a quick buck from my experience. I don't fully trust them based on my own interactions with them. That's not to say their EWC is bad, I know MM has tested it. It's more my own opinion of the owners. Not sure if they're selling Acadian or some local bull kelp that may not be as good as the N. Atlantic Sea Kelp. They do feed their worms manures.

Another WA option is Kitsap EZ Earth.
https://kitsapezearth.com/wp/
I looked at their EWC and it came back fine. They don't feed their worms any manures (which is nice for the vegans or those who don't want to risk any pathogens in their teas). Would be carrying their product ourselves if we could have agreed on a suitable quantity and bulk price (they weren't setup to sell wholesale by the yard is all).

Hope that helps,
CT

Marwest is the best local compost $$$ can buy IMO. I use it,I love it,my plants love it....and I'm no Matt Rize.....just a farmer.

I'm over Yelm's EWC...JUNK!
The kelp product I purchased looks good....looks like it'll go a long way if I ever need it.
Thanks all for the plethora of valuable info. here in this thread.

Microbeman · 10-15-2010, 02:07 AM

One thing I checked is that the mushroom compost had been steamed rather than treated. This area is terrible for finding quality compost. One other choice was steaming away, another has fresh sawdust mixed in. Once I get set up, I'll provide a good alternative.

Capt: What's the problem with Yelm's castings? I did look at their mix several years ago and it seemed okay.

guest2012y · 10-15-2010, 02:34 AM

They are using a lot of "filler" now....like CT said,they seem to be geared towards profit rather than quality.......Not so good now...I could grab a bag and save it. Mostly inert material not so many EWC's....hardly any actually. And that's not the worst of the local area...there is much worse. If they slapped a pic of a naked chick on the bag....that's how bad it is.

Microbeman · 10-15-2010, 02:57 AM

Capt

Hmmmm.... Did you see it different previously? Are you comparing it to pure castings? I believe that pure castings which present as granular looking, are usually from African or European worms. The Red Wrigglers (which Yelm has) produce either a gooey mass of castings which is pretty much humus or a mix of this and some partially digested material (which is referred to as vermicompost). I do not know if Yelm was selling straight castings but the stuff I looked at was a blend of vermicompost and thermophilic compost. They call this Barefoot Soil or something like that.

If someone is selling pure castings from Red Wrigglers with that granular appearance, they are either bullshitting or drying out the matter too much or it is a new one on me.

Albertine · 10-15-2010, 03:04 AM

I'm wondering if there is some difference of opinion regarding what good castings are. If amount of filler is the standard rather than the microbial activity, then we are comparing apples and oranges, in a way. Marwest's castings and Mega Worm are really pure castings - Marwest actually lists an n-p-k on theirs

With that in mind, there is the other local brand that is obviously cut, but a much better deal for cut castings, the 4 Corners out of Castle Rock WA.

MM, have you tested the activity of this brand?

10-15-2010, 02:07 AM	#67
Microbeman The Logical Gardener Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,436	One thing I checked is that the mushroom compost had been steamed rather than treated. This area is terrible for finding quality compost. One other choice was steaming away, another has fresh sawdust mixed in. Once I get set up, I'll provide a good alternative. Capt: What's the problem with Yelm's castings? I did look at their mix several years ago and it seemed okay. __________________ Anybody can be wrong about anything. "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?" "Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." ~John Maynard Keynes~ Sorry: No questions by PM, check my webpage
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10-15-2010, 02:34 AM	#68
guest2012y Living with the soil Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Forested area Posts: 2,926	They are using a lot of "filler" now....like CT said,they seem to be geared towards profit rather than quality.......Not so good now...I could grab a bag and save it. Mostly inert material not so many EWC's....hardly any actually. And that's not the worst of the local area...there is much worse. If they slapped a pic of a naked chick on the bag....that's how bad it is. __________________ BMR in flower https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=170303 Topsoil in the soil mix https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=153542 Provider for cardholders organic medicine and organic medicated edibles..."we're primed and we're ready to go toe to toe with disease"
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10-15-2010, 02:57 AM	#69
Microbeman The Logical Gardener Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,436	Capt Hmmmm.... Did you see it different previously? Are you comparing it to pure castings? I believe that pure castings which present as granular looking, are usually from African or European worms. The Red Wrigglers (which Yelm has) produce either a gooey mass of castings which is pretty much humus or a mix of this and some partially digested material (which is referred to as vermicompost). I do not know if Yelm was selling straight castings but the stuff I looked at was a blend of vermicompost and thermophilic compost. They call this Barefoot Soil or something like that. If someone is selling pure castings from Red Wrigglers with that granular appearance, they are either bullshitting or drying out the matter too much or it is a new one on me. __________________ Anybody can be wrong about anything. "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?" "Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." ~John Maynard Keynes~ Sorry: No questions by PM, check my webpage Last edited by Microbeman; 10-15-2010 at 03:14 AM..
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10-14-2010, 10:24 PM	#63
schwagg Guest Posts: n/a	CT, thanks for that link. did you look at the sifted or unsifted?
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10-14-2010, 10:48 PM	#65
CT Guy Guest Posts: n/a	Been slowly working my way through Spurr's links....lot of info! Thanks for sharing!
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10-15-2010, 03:04 AM	#70
Albertine Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 169	I'm wondering if there is some difference of opinion regarding what good castings are. If amount of filler is the standard rather than the microbial activity, then we are comparing apples and oranges, in a way. Marwest's castings and Mega Worm are really pure castings - Marwest actually lists an n-p-k on theirs With that in mind, there is the other local brand that is obviously cut, but a much better deal for cut castings, the 4 Corners out of Castle Rock WA. MM, have you tested the activity of this brand?
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