What is compost? Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Anything that grows decomposes eventually; composting simply speeds up the process by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms (such as worms, sowbugs, and nematodes) to do their work. The resulting decomposed matter, which often ends up looking like fertile garden soil, is called compost. Fondly referred to by farmers as “black gold,” compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture. - https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101#whatis
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Is ‘mushroom compost’ compost? No - When a company advertises "mushroom compost" that means they have put all their spent mushroom logs (usually made from imported sawdust logs from China) in a large pile outside. When it has broken down they sell it. This is putrefied organic matter, not compost. This material has not been maintained with adequate moisture and turning for aeration or brought evenly to high enough temperatures (above 131 degrees Fahrenheit) for long enough and likely contains pathogens and disease.
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Is Manure compost? Manure can be used to add organic matter to the soil but it needs to be properly composted first. This does not mean leaving it in a pile outside exposed to the elements for a long period of time. Manure contains high levels of salt and acidity depending on the type of animal and needs to be stabilized during a compost process before it can be safely applied to crops or pasture.
Is Landscape Company Material Compost? No - Usually landscape companies have large piles of woodchips they leave outside in a pile for a long period of time and once it has decomposed and looks like soil they sell it as compost.
Is anything made from one material compost? No – In order to be composted to ensure aerobic conditions and diverse microbial populations compost is always made with more than one input material.
What to ask when looking for quality compost? “What composting method did you use?” and “What materials were used to make this compost?” Correct forms of compost include Thermophilic Compost, Aerated Static, Johnson Su reactor, and Vermicompost. These methods ensure the material has been properly aerated to ensure aerobic conditions are maintained and no pathogens or diseases will be present. These methods are made with several types of input material to ensure a diverse growth of microbes which are necessary to provide nutrients to your plants.
Why is properly made compost so expensive? Compost made in the proper way has been maintained at temperatures above 131 for at least three days in every part of the pile to kill weed seeds and pathogens. It has maintained moisture levels of 50% throughout the process to exponentially increase microbial populations to make soluble plant nutrients available to your plants upon application. It contains several input materials with required carbon to nitrogen levels to ensure diverse microbial populations. Once applied microbes in the soil multiply and create structure in the soil for proper air flow, root growth, water retention, and carbon sequestration and will continue to add value to your soil season after season if properly cared for with minimal tillage and maitinance of living roots.
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