For instance how do I know if the "composted steer manure" has really been composted and is free from bad things?

I just planted some strawberry plants in a couple pots and I used some cheapo potting soil mixed with manure and other things. Im pretty sure the manure was good because I have used that bag in the past with no ill effect but the cheapo potting soil was bought by a relative. Or possibly the plants themselves were infected prior to planting. I dont know. Any suggestions?

However, I have gotten bags of compost where it smell like manure, which means the compost may be incomplete.

Paul

Paulsiu: I do not think bagged compost is typically sterilized. I have seen bags of manure compost that said "sterilized" but I don't think this is universal. For one thing it's way too expensive given the price of the product. Also, it would kill all the beneficial microorganisms too, which is one reason you want compost to begin with. JMHO.

I found some interesting reading by Googling "compost sterilization". Note, it's almost impossible to sterilize soil or compost. Steam treatment will only knock it back a bit. :-]

Ive been using Gardener's brand steer manure for a couple years now with great results. Its not compost its manure and I think its composted but Im unsure. Ill only use my own "compost" or worm casting compost from a reputable source that I can see it composting with my own eyes but Ill buy bagged manure. I was thinking about composting it myself for a year just to make sure. I have 5 bags in my garage now and I was planning on just letting them sit for 6 months to a year but maybe Ill throw them in the bin?

My strawberries died from V. wilt and I think it might have come from the soil I bought them in. There has been a stink online about Bonnie Brand Strawberry plants for a couple months now and V. wilt and when I contacted them they knew exactly what I was talking about and offered to send me 2 free plant coupons. But I did mix in some cheapo "earthgro" potting soil as well.

On a side not...A funny thing I found in a bag of steer manure I had laying around unopened for a year was a couple mushrooms. They looked magic but who knows...lol Is that bad? Anyways, Im thinking about changing to chicken manure, Ive read its got 3 times the nutrients as steer manure.

I think I've got V wilt something fierce and am not sure what to do about it. Who knows where it came from.

Smell and examine a bag?
Go by the reputation of maker?
Don't buy the cheapest?

I looked at a bag with the name of a local gardening organization. It had no info about meeting any compost standards.