Is this like peat moss?

Return to the Soil Forum | Post a Follow-Up

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 9:44

Here is what I was able to quickly extricate from the bottom of the compost bin. Does this look like it could be worked into the soil for my flowering beds?

Follow-Up Postings:

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by bluegoat Zone 3b (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 9:53

It looks dry and doesn't look like it has been composted. What did it start out as?

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by buzzkillgrl none (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 10:11

I don't know. It belonged to the former owner of the house. I just posted like 3 questions all about this compost bin. I'm doing some (first time) gardening and desperately want to use what I thought would be a "gold mine" for my flower bed

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by tropical_thought San Francisco (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 11:51

Some put some sod in there and it did not compost, because no work was done on it. Composting is work. Sellers of bins like to pretend you just put stuff in and like magic it comes out as black gold, but it is just not true. I would not use that stuff. I would discard it or recompost it properly.

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by emgardener 9 BayArea CA (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 13:53

That's good organic material, work it into your soil, mulch with it, or put it in a pot, it makes good potting mix also.

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by ernie85017 (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 14:48

I don't work at my compost and when I look, it is black and rich on the bottom. How can this be?

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 12 at 15:46

Totally agree with emgardener. Looks like the root balls of dead plants, and if it's been sitting a while, use it. It may not be finished compost but it will add tilth to your soil.

Also agree with ernie. Even in a drought, compost pile is moist and full of worms. All I do is add stuff to the top and take a pitchfork full of stuff from the bottom sometimes. When the occasion arises that I declare a pile "done," it gets dumped wherever, big pieces rejected to start a new pile.

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by kimmsr 4a/5b-MI (My Page) on
Sun, Jul 1, 12 at 6:36

That is undigested organic matter probably due to a lack of adequate moisture in the mix. You could use it for mulch, or break it apart moisten it and put it back to be worked on some more. Finished compost will be a very dark brown even though some refer to it as "black gold".

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by flora_uk SW UK 8/9 (My Page) on
Sun, Jul 1, 12 at 12:45

'Composting is work'.... That depends entirely upon what approach you take. You can get compost by piling up your organic waste and forgetting it. Like me and ernie85017. Or you can look after it like an infant in the ICU. It's entirely up to you.

If the OP is squeamish (which I gather she is)she could just run the hose into the bin for a while and put the lid back on. Have another look in a couple of months. If you feel like it move it as suggested on another thread. If you don't don't. Or you could poke it about a bit with a fork. Or not. Entirely as you wish. You will still have something useful to put on your garden in the autumn or next spring.

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by idaho_gardener 6a_sw_idaho (My Page) on
Mon, Jul 2, 12 at 1:47

In a dry environment, compost can dry out before it ever finishes. I'll bet buzzkillgrl lives in a dry environment.

That stuff should be crumbled up, moistened, and allowed to sit for a spell. In warm weather, it should finish decomposing in a little while.

RE: Is this like peat moss?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by blazeaglory 10 SZ22 OC Ca (My Page) on
Mon, Jul 2, 12 at 15:42

I agree with kimmsr and flora. Either mix it into your garden or re-compost it. Either way add some water.

Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

If you are a member, please log in.

If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Soil Forum

Instructions

You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.

Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.