But I've been composting for a year now and I have a confession: I think I'm going to forego trying to really actively grow my own organic matter, and instead, buy a couple yards annually from a local compost facility that offers some very good organic compost.

My biggest problems with self-composting are:

A) I have trouble making enough. Thus, I have to supplement with bagged compost which is expensive.

B) WEEDS! The very first homegrown compost I made, I dumped into one of my raised beds. It's now covered with weeds. The other raised beds have a lone, rare weed because they are filled entirely with purchased compost and soil that I think is better sterilized. Admittedly, a good portion of our yard is still unlandscaped (i.e., solid weeds), and much of it is finding its way into my compost bin. I seriously hate the idea that I'm physically inserting weeds into my beds.

C) For about $50 annually, I can bring in two yards of quality organic compost, load it into my beds and be done all in one day. Honestly, for the effort I'd have to go through making 2 yards of compost every year, I'm can't justify the savings.

Mind you, I'm not planning on getting rid of my composter. I think I will continue filling it with my spent veggies and the leaves I rake in the yard. But I'm seriously thinking of abandoning my efforts in trying to gather as much compostables as I can get my hands on in an effort to make my own dirt.

So here's my question: Do many of you supplement your compost with purchased compost? And is there something in my argument that I'm not thinking about?

But Seriously, You have access to great compost and it is cheaper than making it (considering your time has to be worth ....something ;-)

I have considered it, and if I wasn't such a compost whacko/FREAK , I would do the same thing...
You go girl.... and by the way, get the rest of your yard into production, there are hungry people out there.... counting on you.

BTW, I don't have a single weed in my garden PLBBBHHHTTHHH

Nancy, I've been fondly eyeing the Sonoma Compost Company Mallard Plus mix. A few gardeners I know love it, and at about $20 a yard, it seems like a good deal. Is that your "dirt store"? I filled my beds with "veggie mix" from Wheeler Zamaroni, which I've been pretty happy with. But I'm thinking of giving the mallard mix a try to shake things up. It's got duck feathers and brown rice in it. That alone has me pretty curious!

Our 'help yourself' bin in town goes through about a cubic yard of finished compost every two weeks as well.

People sometimes need/like to get extra compost now and then, no big deal.

Lloyd

Large compost facilities have equipment and scale on their side. A large pile that's turned regularly heats up more so you're more likely to have product that's killed weed seeds. It all depends on what's available to you to use in compost and what your needs are.

I compost the vegetable waste from one local restaurant that I pick up regularly in my car. I'm able to almost produce as much compost as I need for the year. I've taken to worm composting the material and have an additional product in the form of worms that help me cut down on labor.

If buying works best, do so! You can still compost the food scraps from the house in a different form. I think it's most important that people become educated and choose what works best for them.

In my previous garden I mulched with compost routinely, both to improve the soil and add fertility. Using compost, I never needed to apply any additional fertilizer. But to fully mulch my garden required about 12 cubic yards of compost -- far more than my small pile could produce. So I purchased bulk compost from a local supplier (recycled yard waste). It is an excellent product, pretty much weed-free and certified organic.

There are various reasons one would consider purchasing compost - the volume required, the quality, or simply because home composting is not an option. It's all good :-))

I also make my own compost, but I sometimes buy it when necessary, whenever I don't have enough.

Ironically, there was an article on compost in the Press Democrat yesterday that mentioned them and--I'm almost positive--Grab N Grow. So I might do a little shopping around--when it stops raining! lol

Nancy, is Grab N Grow the company that sells Mango Mulch? I've got a coworker who swears by it. So, I guess living in dairy and wine country, we've got lots of good places to choose from.

Nancy, here's a link to the Sonoma Compost Co product page. I love that they give you pictures! I've resorted to tearing open bags at Home Depot because too many times, I've bought bagged "compost" only to find it's full of wood chips.

Rather than add what little they end up with, weeds should go where the Dodo went but we know better don't we!

The wasting of our time and labor on trying to prove how good environmentalists we are is also shown in your message. Well done!

But we had high winds last night that broke the hinges and blew the top off my compost bin. I think the whole set-up might be headed for the recycler soon!