Jessica, it's compost and might be better used as an amendment. Alone, it will continue to lose volume as it decomposes further (you'll lose depth you could notice) and it may very well be higher in nutrients than is good for plants....sort of like super fertlizing them and causing rapid and weaker growth more prone to insects, diseases.

OK, I'm a little slow on the uptake here.

I assume that this stuff has been composted and is safe to use. I know what "1 part humanure" is. But what does "3 parts green" mean? Green what?

Sorry to be so thick.

Karen

Karen--Green as in trees, leaves, grass clippings. People in the community can bring their bagged stuff for drop off rather than sticking it in their grabage cans.

Morz--Good point, I didn't think about that. I guess I will have to get some topsoil afterall. Do you think I could plant in it, if I add topsoil to the planting hole? I am thinking about the places where I already dumped the compost...

Jessica

Now I'm the one being slow on the uptake, I'm trying to picture what you mean. You've tilled it into veggie beds (that's good) and you've used it in the past as a top dressing (good too). Have you spread it someplace where it's deep enough you'd consider it more than mulch or top dressing and want to dig planting holes to fill with top soil?

If so, I wouldn't, I'd take the time to spade it around and mix it up with dirt. If it's really a thick layer, eventually you'll end up with little islands of plants (or plant) with a lower area around each. You wouldn't have to till, just mix it into soil some....the worms will help move it around if not perfectly blended.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but I've taken shortcuts with planting rather than invest the effort/time to do it best - not a mistake I plan to repeat in my lifetime :) Think 50 cent plant in a $5 hole, and your labor credits towards the $5.

I think it would be a good thing to lay down over a bed, then work into the bed, water well, and then plant your seedlings in it. You could use it like mulch or topdressing, but it really is better used as a soil amendment.

T

Thanks, I will do it!

Jessica

I'm confused on the "green" thing too.

Isn't human waste... like cow manure, grass,ect.... also considered a green (high nitrogen) ingredient in making compost? Hmmmmmm
Your browns are stuff like: straw, paper, cardboard, dry leaves, ect. that are high in carbon.

3 parts green waste and 1 part human waste is how they describe it. I don't really know much about compost, but the locals here love it!

Jessica

But do they really use it on vegetables and food that they'll be eating? I wouldn't. (horse and cow manure are diferent with different bacteria in them because the animals are vegetarians.)

Lime

I have to agree with Lime and not use in a veggie garden.
From what I understand is humanure is loaded with heavy metals. Besides, I dont feel comfortable having a govt enity making compost for me. I know the borough here tries to make compost, but admits they really dont know what they are doing and use alot of ammonia in their program.
They collect from who knows what sources and I still see ChemLawn trucks on the roads. I can get loads of animal manure and have my own bunny for compostng veggies and greens. If I lived n an urban area without that luxury I would instead go out and buy bags of composted cow manure. Last year 40lb bags of that was 3.00
Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for all the opinions and information!

I have been happy with it in the past, will not use it as topsoil, but will continue to use it as a soil amendment and a mulch.

I am attaching a link to this post with a newspaper article about it.

Jessica

Here is a link that might be useful: Black Gold Compost article