I have a lot of a mix that they call composted manure and compost. It does not smell like cow manure so I have to assume it has been composted. It says it is a soil amendment only. It also says not to plant anything directly into the composted material. I have gotten contradictory stories from the folks at Home depot that yes you can plant right into it, don't plant into it, mix it and then plant into it. It is sooooo confusing!!! Why is this? It is all composted so why not? Is this going to harm my plants or kill them from too rich of a medium for them when transplanting? Can I simply take this stuff and spread it out on the ground letting the rain have it's way and make it safe for planting into it? Will this ruin the nutrient content? Do I even need to do this or can I just use it mixed with peat moss, perlite, coconut coir or whatever else and use it for a transplanting medium? Only thing I can tell you for sure about it is when I have used it for transplanting and I water heavily like I am supposed to after transplanting I do get a run off that is very brown in color. Can someone please clarify this for me.
The compost itself is very rich, and lots of plants can't take that. The roots get sort of burned. (Oh, aren't I the best at explaining! ) The run-off is probably because of all the humus in the soil. You'll get the same from marsh run-offs. I'm fairly certain Sjoerd and others have lots of info on what can and what can't be planted in that sort of compost. I usually use compost as a top layer on the borders in spring. When planting I usually mix the compost soil with lots of other soil, sand, bark chips, pine needles or whatever's wanted for the plant. I want the nutritients but not too much, since the plants might get overfed.
That explained it pretty well actually. It means, if I understand you, I can take a majority of the compost bags and mix them in the soil in my so called garden space. Let them kind of mellow out a bit and then use it for my containers when it warms up. I can also mix it well with soil, peat and other stuff like I was gonna do any not burn the roots. All the sifting I have done leaves me with wood chips and such. Is this ratio workable: 2 part compost/manure 2 part soil 1 part peat moss 1 part coconut coir or is that too thin or too rich?
What you have listed is a good mixture !! But,,I grow many things directly in composted horse manure with nothing added !! The stuff you buy in stores rarely has enough of anything in it to harm most plants !!! Try a small pot of each,,one straight and one mixed,, with a seedling and see which does better !!
I have pepper seedlings transplanted directly in the stuff right now so we will see. So far they are growing well and haven't shown any signs of pouting. I do know this stuff is really light and fluffy like I have been told you want. I can't tell for sure if it has any peat or anything else in it but I think it does. Will just have to see, might be that the heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers will do well but cucumbers won't. It will be a while before I start a cucumber or zucchini though. Mart, what plants do you grow in it?
Mostly sweet potato slips, tomato seedlings and peppers !! If they look like they need a kick start thats where I put them !! Last year I could have supplied the county with sweet potato slips from my manure pile !! Also did some lettuce that did well !!
