Best Store bought compost?

Ray Brown · Joined: 11 Mar 2003 Posts: 69 Location: ,

As my compost pile is still developing, I need to buy some compost. What's a good brand that sells a good mature compost?
I bought some at Lowe's, but it was basically broken down mulch, not a whole lot of good soil in there.

Thanks again!

Dan

Dchall_San_Antonio · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: San Antonio,TEXAS

Check with a real garden supply store. They should be able to buy it by the cubic yard and get the really premium stuff.

Ray Brown · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 65 Location: Irving

If you are just needing small amounts, Wells has bagged compost with green sand and lava sand mixed in. If you need bulk, try Living Earth Technologies.

The Ent · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 784 Location: ,

Lowes HAS started carrying Mushroom compost and that is one of the best kinds of compost. If you don't need a lot, this comes in a nice managable size of a bout a cubic foot or two.

compostguy2003 · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2

I'd recommend using bulk compost whenever possible. The bagged compost can often times set-up an anaerobic environment that can do unpleasant things to the compost. It can cause harm or even destroy the beneficial bacteria that the compost is supposed to provide. Bags are convenient but not always the best for your plants. For high quality bulk compost I'd suggest that you try Soil Building Systems. Also, I have had no luck with mushroom compost, as a long-term and sustaining solution.

dav · Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 15

R. J. Smelley Dairy has finished compost. You can get it by pickup or delivered.(817) 300-4350

Jenny · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 20 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

I have found that the Green Sense cotton bur compost is simply the best - you can get it at Rhode's or anywhere that carries the Green Sense products.

ZIPPER · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Posts: 354 Location: San Antonio,Tx

Jenny:

8) My vote goes to "Doctor Gobbler" turkey compost. No chemical additives in the feed and they raise the turkeys.

At the present time it is bagged but soon to be available in bulk in the SA Tx. area.

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

dav wrote: R. J. Smelley Dairy...

:lol:

dragonfly · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 10:30 am Post subject:

My favorite for compost bought in bags is the Organic Rose Blend. I think it's made by Back to Earth or Back to Nature, or something like that. Comes in a red and white bag and is great stuff. I have used the composted cotton bur compost, but it seems to attract termites everywhere I use it.

Zane · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 29 Location: Plano TX

Dan, if you want completely finished compost that runs through your fingers like potting soil, then try rich earth. I don't know if it is sold in your area. I buy it from Garison gardens in Plano. If you want something a little ruffer, your local city compost will probably be rough black and hot. That stuff at lowe's might as well be labled landscaper's mix.

CaptainCompostAL · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 877 Location: Irondale,Alabama

I'm not a big fan of any commercial composts, especially mushroom compost. Homemade compost is definitely superior to any commercial compost, mainly on aerobic microbial populations alone. Some homemade composts are higher in beneficial nitrates than others. It's all based on the quality of the organic material ingredients, and the process of composting the stuff. Hot composting is the way to go for best results. Many commercial composting factories don't use a hot composting process.

Mushroom compost can be too acidic, or too salty, or too strong for some sensitive seeds for germination.

Check this out:

http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/garden/soil/mushroom.html

Happy Gardening!