I have been thinking about it. I have a space right behind the mobile that was torn up by maintenance trying to track down a leak that was flooding us and downhill (long story short, previous park owners completely screwed up keeping the water pipes in decent order and new owners are having a fun time (NOT!) trying to fix everything).



I think I will see about getting several yards of the compost to spread over the area to smooth it out. As is it is a walking hazard for me as I use two canes and a rollator to get around for any distance. I will keep some to put up some experimental containers with it to see how things go.

Arico said: They say it's "not recommended for vegetable or flower yards"....Then what the F is there left to apply it to!? Shrubs and trees?

They do say it should be okay for lawns, turf, and landscape mulch. So it should be good for out back.

Well, we'll see how it goes next spring. Fingers crossed they do bring back the good stuff so I can refresh my current raised beds and containers.

stone said: Not coal... Don't use coal! It's extremely toxic.
Bio char is charcoal, like what you get after lighting a brush pile and smothering it before it's reduced to ash.

Coal ash does not add many nutrients to the soil as most fertilizers do, however it greatly improves the texture of the soil for working and ease of plant growth. Coal ash also raises the pH of acidic soil. As you gather it yourself, coal ash is an economical option for gardeners looking to improve soil texture.
--
https://permies.com/t/58808/Co...

Coal and Soils

A lot will depend on what type of coal it is. High sulfur content will create acidic soil ( sulfur + H2O = Sulfuric acid ), so if you want blueberries or other acid lovers, that type of soil would be great (to a point).

Some coal seams are low sulfur and those might make a soil similar to volcanic soils. These are very mineral rich soils that grow many types of plants very well.

To find out, grab some samples and head to the local university or extension service for a test.

In Kentucky there are coal seams such as you mention, many plants love that soil. Most of this "surfacing" coal is low sulfur coal.
Cattle are run on it, as well as goats and hogs. Not to mention the fine Deer population that feeds on plants and trees in these areas.

This explains why the part of my garden at home is better than the other, when they redid the barn/garage the coal dust was thrown in that part of the garden.

One dude's opinion posted to a forum...

Interesting how the next post [at that forum] contradicted above post, pointing out some of the same things that I did...

I wouldn't be adjusting my gardening based on above statements...
From Physicians for Social Responsibility:

https://psr.org/wp-content/upl...
The toxic substances found in coal ash can inflict grave damage to the human body and the environment. These substances have been shown to escape from some coal ash disposal sites, contaminating the air, land, surface waters, and/or underground aquifers that feed drinking water wells.

Arico, read the permies link. I think thats what stone refers to.

I had to look up this coal/charcoal semantics debate. Here's what I found: Coal is a natural mineral that forms over the span of millions of years while charcoal is a manufactured product created from wood. While coal in its natural state is never used alone in a barbeque or smoker, it is commonly added to charcoal briquettes to increase the energy density.
https://www.google.com/search?...

Ew, after reading about bad stuff in mineral coal, I wouldn't think it goes in BBQ charcoal briquettes at all.

also the confusing use of 'coals' to mean black burnt chunks from (any?) fire.

The word activated faithfully gave me 'activated charcoal' in my google search. And maybe since I was already familiar with activated charcoal, from aquarium use and plant care and biochar discussions, I didn't think there would be confusion.

Anyway- to the original question: when the county utility collects random contributions from homeowners, makes compost, puts up this sign, and gives it out free, I think all one can say is 'buyer beware' and 'you get what you pay for.' Who knows what went into it and what effects the big composting operation may have upon them.

Agreed. My neighbor used county/city compost, but I have always shied away from it. No doubt it is a great and useful program, but I want to know what goes into the compost I spread on my flower and vegetable beds - especially vegetables. There are just some things I would never want to put into my compost bin.

Likely the reason the compost facility does not recommend using the product on vegetable gardens is because it contains sewage sludge (aka biosolids). USEPA has a method of grading biosolids, the highest quality under the Part 503 regulations is "Exceptional Quality or EQ." EQ biosolids have been subjected to a pathogen reduction process, which generally means it has been composted with other materials at a prescribed temperature and time. The pathogen content is greatly reduced, but not eliminated. It is a pathogen reduction - not sterilization. If it seems that USEPA's biosolids classification is confusing, it is - they made it deliberately misleading.

The other problem with compost containing sewage origin biosolids is toxic metals content. In fact, EPA is so concerned about it that the law limits how much and how frequently biosolids can be applied to land. Some plants will take up and concentrate those metals in the plants - therefore, repeated use on vegetable gardens is a bad idea.

Many states (including my home state of California) are requiring diversion of green waste from landfills. Composting facilities handle that green waste. Although they want you to believe all they compost is lawn clippings, the fact is they nearly always also compost sewage sludge as a feed stock. The same is true of most (especially less expensive brands) bagged steer manure and soil amendment products available at the big box stores. Earthgro is actually owned by Synagro, one of the largest sewage sludge handling companies in the world.

To avoid sewage sludge look for "OMRI" or in California "Organic Input Material" on the product bag. If they don't have it, the material contains sewage sludge. However, steer and chicken manure are generally packaged as commodities and are not labeled as OMRI or OIM. The only companies I have found that are packaging those products that have committed to not using sewage sludge as a feedstock are EB Stone and Kellogg Garden Products (manures sold as "Gardeners" brand). If the product doesn't have the label or is not an EB Stone or Kellogg Garden Product, it almost certainly contains sewage biosolids. The manufacturers are very good at concealing the biosolids content from customers.

If you've unknowingly used sludge containing products I wouldn't worry about it. I used those products for years before I knew about the issues. Remember, the issues are pathogens, which will be eliminated over time because garden soil does not make a hospitable environment for their survival/viability, and repeated toxic metals application. My recommendation would be to not continue using those products that contain sewage sludge; any compost produced by a municipality or commercial organization almost certainly contains sewage sludge.

Or you can not concern yourself with the issue at all and save some money.

If you are interested, you can read up on the Part 503 biosolids rules here. https://www.epa.gov/sites/defa...

Coal is really old organic matter. How does burning fresh wood make miracle soil, but burning really, really old wood make toxic soil?

https://www.ucsusa.org/resourc....

(Sorry, this is not the original thread question)

Rubi said: Coal is really old organic matter. How does burning fresh wood make miracle soil, but burning really, really old wood make toxic soil?

It just does...
Is this a "why is the sky blue?", kind of question?

I just did a google search of "coal vs charcoal".

Really couldn't find a better answer than the link Sally posted...

Apparently.... intense pressure over millions of years produces some important changes.

From my reading, I think (but don't really know) that is has a lot to do with the air pockets, air tunnels in charcoal. The air spaces allow the microorganisms to move in and find a home. It is those microorganisms that are beneficial to the soil. Coal is compressed and does not have those zillions of air spaces.