What test can be done to check to see if herbicides are present in compost? I know there are expense laboratories that samples can be sent to but are there any other simple tests? Recently I tried the "Cress" test with various composts and potting soils. My results were that everything germinated but some took up to ten days to sprout (normally two to three days). Not sure what the variable was in the equation that could have caused this (viable seeds etc.). Any thoughts anyone?
Deborah Mills ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Gordon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 5:37 AM Subject: Re: [cg] Community garden nutrient inputs > For a garden to be sustainable, the ideal would be to grow all the compost > on site. Jeavons has found that the garden alance to do this seems to be > 60% Crops that produce a lot of compost > 30% Crops that produce a lot of calories > 10% Crops that produce the rest of the vitamins and minerals we need > For information on this system, see the 6th edition of How to Grow More > Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine > by John Jeavons. There are also some helpful more detailed compost related > booklets at http://www.bountifulgardens.org . Perhaps a couple of people > would like to go this route as an experiment/demonstration of what can be > done. > > Another source for sustainability information suited to your area would be > your local permaculturists. There's a world wide directory at > http://www.permacultureactivist.net . > > However since it will be awhile before everyone grows 99% of what they eat > locally and recycles all the compost locally, it makes sense to me to make > good use of what other people would toss into the landfills. In the US there > is a problem with a herbicide that's not breaking down during the composting > process, so if herbicides like that are allowed in your area, you might want > to test each finished pile for this before using it on your gardens. Ecoli > can be present in unfinished manure composts. Medical chemicals can be > present in manure too. > > Some people get around this by only using compost materials from lawns where > people don't use chemicals, and the waste from organic food stores. > > Sharon > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > ______________________________________________________ > The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org > > > To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden > ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
