Re: effects of compost? (fwd)
Steve Diver (steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu)
Mon, 18 Mar 1996 10:04:03 -0600 (CST)
Forwarded message:
> To: sustag-public@amani.ces.ncsu.edu
> Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 20:43:23 -0500
> From: Lisa Lehman-Gordon <monalisa@albany.net>
> Organization: AlbanyNet - E-mail info@albany.net
> Subject: Re: effects of compost?
>
> Saw your posting while browsing through the alt.ag newsgroup, and
> wanted to share these thoughts regarding compost composition. The
> characteristics of compost will be greatly affected by the material
> being composted. In my area, various composting operations are
> contending with the implications of the composting feedstocks they are
> using; for example, a local commercial site receives some food waste
> and a lot of paper mill sludge and has to search for bulking agents to
> blend in. There are also interesting discussions going on regarding
> the feasibility of adding gypsum salvaged from gypsum wallboard
> recovery (paper removed first) and other less-than-common items. As
> you attempt to characterize the charateristics of compost, I implore
> you to include the pre-composting inputs in your consideration. Users
> of compost will need this information in order for your analysis of
> characteristics to be truly useful.
>
> Wouldn't it be great if we could come up with some sort of grading
> system for compost that an end user could refer to when planning their
> compost use? Factors such as inclusion of paper mill sludge and
> gypsum could be considered; so could the possible presence of plastic
> contaminants from food waste composting, etc. Other inputs, such as
> manure, leaves, pine needles, lumber scraps, etc, no doubt have their
> own effects on compost characteristics, which could be considered.
>
> Perhaps it exists, but I'd love to see a simple table that matches
> compost type (based on degree of composting and inputs to the
> composting process) to soil type and end use (crop to be grown,
> whether corn or oats or golf course grass).
>
> Perhaps we could classify composted material in a universal grading
> system, e.g.:
> Type 4 compost is from yard waste 75% or greater and pulp mill waste
> 20% or greater and is great for melons, corn and residential lawns.
> Bad for herbaceous perennials and wheat. (Obviously, a made-up
> example.)
>
> So, what you guys doin' up there, anyways?