Testing Compost for Persistent Herbicide

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Testing Compost for Persistent Herbicide

OhioGardener 4/5/2024, 4:08 pm

Last fall a neighbor dropped off a truckload of cow manure from his calf growing operation. I had asked him if he was aware of any herbicides being included in the food for the cows, and he said everything was organic. So, I let the pile of manure sit over the winter to partially compost. It composted down to about 1/2 the original size of the pile over the winter.

Last week I got a shovel full of the manure, and sowed some radish seeds in it to ensure there was no persistent herbicide in it. Not only do the radish plants look very healthy, but there are a lot of weed seedlings sprouting. I concluded that the manure is safe to use in my compost mixes. Very Happy

Testing Compost for Persistent Herbicide Radish11

Testing Compost for Persistent Herbicide Manure10

____________________________
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"

OhioGardener: Forum Moderator; Posts : 4550
Join date : 2018-08-06
Location : SW Ohio

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