Cobb County and Dekalb offer it by the truckload. I googled to find the addresses. But... I am still unsure if it is safe to use on my vegetables. The Dekalb stuff I did get but not sure if I want anymore. It is apparently yard waste picked up from residences. i.e. not a pile that anyone can dump anything into.

But does that mean that if all my neighbors spray the heck out of their lawns, then all that stuff is going into my vegetables?

Would appreciate any insight anyone has into this.

Here's a map that will help you:
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/programs/downloads/lscomposting_2001.pdf

It looks like your closest pick up for free compost is Cherokee, so I'd call their waste dept. and ask if you can pick some up.

inquisichick asked: "But does that mean that if all my neighbors spray the heck out of their lawns, then all that stuff is going into my vegetables?"

YES. They burn out as much as they can with hot composting but this compost is not recommended for vegetable gardening.

There are several places to get free or low cost horse compost all over the state. You may want to try horse/cow compost but you'll need to let it rot if it has an odor. I got 17 yards of it a few years ago and it was totally well worth it. I will get more again sometime soon!!

The Georgia Farmers and Consumers Market bulletin: http://agr.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,38902732_39654299_40311428,00.html
Lists farms that are giving or selling compost.

GGG

Thanks for the link. I have looked for several weeks for that information. In fact, I think I have seen that website but apparently didn't think it had the information I wanted.

I now see a couple of places I can call.

Lori

Thank you very much for the link and useful bulletin. Spring is here (even if we get a cold snap - fingers crossed). Good luck everyone.

GGG~
Out of curiousity, what is about the yard waste/free compost that you wouldn't want on your veggies? I'm guessing pesticides and insecticides, but what about fertilizer? I'm asking because I have previously composted my own lawn clippings which I were fertilized with a granular fertilizer. *sigh* I know, I know...compost not chemical. My ways are changing, but what's past is past. :-)

jmzms:
I live in a historic part of town, and I know our neighborhood is chock full of chemicals in the ground. I am trying to minimize chemicals and I also worry about "other stuff" in the compost. Dekalb does it's best to keep the mulch clean, but I always find plastic in it. They are finding that old plastic is in a lot of soil. Did you know that plastic can be washed and made small like grains of sand? I don't want that in my food. I am growing food because I don't want to have my food near plastics and all manner of man made things.
That and chemicals are the only reasons why I choose not to use county compost in my food gardens.

GGG