Will Compost Kill/Burn Plants

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fordr4 Prince George, VA(Zone 7a) May 10, 2009

We're building a new flower bed. I had a load of compost delivered (my little compost container isn't enough). My intention was to use the compost in the bed but the delivery guy said that it will burn up everything in the bed. He said it was about 80% nitrogen. I asked how old it was and he said that the supplier said it was about 7 years old. It has a slight manure smell. What do you guys think?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 10, 2009

I don't see how it would still have a manure smell if it's 7 yrs old--even in a really badly managed compost pile I think it would have decomposed by then. And compost that's 7 yrs old shouldn't burn your plants either, so I suspect he may be way off on the age. Fresher manure that hasn't had time to decompose yet definitely can burn your plants, and the smell plus the warnings they gave you make me think it's fresher stuff.

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) May 10, 2009

Why did someone sell you something that will burn up everything in your bed? Compost that has been properly processed shouldn't burn even if you used it 100% in a container. In fact, some people do exactly that. What business can afford to store something for SEVEN years while it "cures"? Think of what that would cost them. A lot of liquors aren't aged that long because there's money tied up in the product and you have to have somewhere to keep it. Can you get whoever sold you this bill of goods to have it picked up and give you your money back? This whole thing "stinks."

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 10, 2009

Agreed with all above. Compost should have a fresh, earthy smell - no hint of manure. I cannot imagine 7 year old compost even being available for all the reasons dp72 described.

I would disregard the delivery man's comments and discuss it with the guy/gal that sold it to you...except I'd still be concerned by the odor you perceive. Trying to get your money back might be the safest solution.

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fordr4 Prince George, VA(Zone 7a) May 12, 2009

Thanks to you all for your comments. I didn't think that compost would burn up anything either. I do have a small compost myself and often use it. I think I panicked because of what the driver said. I will defnitely call the company that sold it to me, they have a good reputation - I've bought my mulch from them for years.

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) May 12, 2009

When you call, if they try to tell you the "compost" is just fine and the driver didn't know what he was talking about, ask them why it has a slight manure odor, when properly prepared compost never has the slightest odor of manure or anything else unpleasant and possibly harmful to your health.

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