Is it possible to put to much Compost in your Garden?

Question

I Came across about 3 Bags of Organic Compost. I was wondering if it was possible to put to much Compost into my garden. Would it hurt my Veggies if I put to much Organic Compost in?

Answer 1

No, you cannot put too much compost on a garden. Nor is it the case, as has beens suggested here, that plants have to have access to soil in order to grow properly.

In fact, Mel  Bartholomew's "Square Foot Gardening" is one "soiless" gardening technique in which plants grow in a mixture of compost, peat moss and vermiculite. The peat moss and vermiculite do not provide any nutrients, only help with retaining moisture.

I use this approach and I know it works very well. My plants are happy growing in compost and they don't require any additional feeding.

I suggest you either dig in your bags of compost or just spread it around as a mulch and let the worms do the hard work for you.

Answer 2

There's a new composting forum that you may want to check...

http://www.compostingforum.com

Answer 3

Compost is the natural decomposition of dead and waste matter. Before any compost is bagged for sale it must go through a sterilization plant to prevent the spread of noxious bugs and deceases and weed seed. On that basis you can put as much of this on your garden as you like.

Organic simply means that no artificial fertilizer has been used to enhance growth rate, and the compost comes from such a source, so decomposition "naturally".so go ahead, veggies will love it.  

Answer 4

How much is too much?

All that is needed is a light covering over the soil - about 1" and everything should be fine.  Organic compost will not harm your veggies, only do good.

It is also possible to make your own organic compost when your present supply runs out.. See tip No. 8 on page below.

Compost will only improve your soil.

Best of luck

Answer 5

As long as you don't use pure compost in place of soil. Plants need minerals from the soil too.

Answer 6

as long as you don't cover the root area of your plants with more than four inches of the stuff, nope!!!.... too deep a layer of it will keep air from getting to the roots and that will not be good for the plants... so a thin layer now and save some for later in fall , too, would be a good move......when you can, mix it into the soil a little.... help the worms out....they get tired, too... *smile*.........

Answer 7

Yes you do .., apply only recommented quantities..,

Chemical fertilisers don't ever seem to produce the best vegetables for me. I have gone to making my own fertiliser based on what I have discovered Tasmanian soils lack. Without going into great detail ( which is available from Steve Solomon's book Growing vegetables South of Australia) the best fertiliser for vegetables down under seems to be one that approaches a Dynamic Lifter constituency. I don't use Dynamic Lifter. It is too expensive. I make my own fertiliser in bulk for half the price.

The recipe is given below.

All ingredients are obtainable from good Farm produce Stores. I use Roberts Pty Ltd as they will usually order in ingredients that are not in stock at the time. The quantities you can buy these ingredients agriculturally will repay you in the long term.

Home-made Complete Organic fertiliser (COF)



Steve Solomon Growing Vegetables South of Australia

In a 40 litre plastic rubbish bin, mix by volume:

COF (Complete Organic Fertiliser) NPK 5-4-2

4 parts seed meal (Canola seed is good in Tas)

OR

3 parts seed meal and 1 part blood-and-bone meal. This option gives a blend that is slightly better for fast-growing leafy crops in spring.

WITH

1/2 part ordinary agricultural lime

1/2 part dolomite lime

1/2 part phosphate rock or guano

1/2 to 1 part kelpmeal and /or Alroc



Apply at rate 4 litres per 10 square metres prior to initial planting. Side dress with amounts of approx  4 litres per 10 square metres during crop cycle.

You will find that the lime will counteract the natural build up of acids in the soil and keep the pH in the range 6.0-6.8.

The dolomite is necessary to provide calcium and magnesium to your plants. Lime also allows clay particles to release their nutrients. Clay soils can be quite a problem as they have a tendency to retain nutrients.

Answer 8

Compost is one of those things that your garden cannot do with out a good amount is better than no compost at all.

Answer 9

you cant hurt plants with too much compost, if its 100% organic.