Re: yet more on composting - to be or not to be
Karin A Grobe (karing@cats.ucsc.edu)
Mon, 28 Aug 1995 07:33:32 -0700 (PDT)
I am involved in a project researching the potential for use of yard
trimmings in agricultural production. We are looking at use of composted
and uncomposted yard trimmings. The yard trimmings are coming from the
City of San Jose, which generates over 100,000 tons per year. Farmers in
the vicinity are ready to receive free uncomposted yard trimmings, but
less ready to buy finished compost. Some are composting on farm, where
they can control the feedstock and the process. The uncomposted material
is often used on marginal land---growers can add 3 inches of uncomposted
material, and see tilth improvements in a matter of months, whereas
adding 10 tons of compost per acre would be just a start on improving
tilth, and would probably cost more.
Karin Grobe