On 07/04/2015 11:41, philgurr wrote:
Three or four years ago, I contacted one of the major compost
producers to ask what steps they took to eliminate pathogens
from their non-peat compost. Needless to say they did not reply
either because they didn't know, or more probably because they
did nothing to eliminate pathogens.

Most of the compost used in non-peat composts is obtained from
councils who operate a policy of composting green waste for sale
either to individuals or large organisations. We are told NEVER to
incorporate grass cuttings from herbicide treated lawns, in our
compost heaps - so hey! lets just take it down to the tip!

You may be told that but it isn't necessarily true. A hot heap can
destroy the sorts of broadleaf herbicide used on domestic lawns no
trouble at all. I compost all my grass cutting in a hot heap.

There are a couple of nasty persistent weedkillers around in farming and
industrial grade gardening that have caused serious problems in horse
manure and straw recycling. Which has grumbled about it:

http://conversation.which.co.uk/ener...ardening-wrap/

Chlopyralid and aminopyralid being the main offenders. A slightly less
hysterical analysis of the problem and means of DIY testing at:

http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/w...d%20Report.pdf

This year
I have suffered from herbicide damage to Dahlia seedlings sown
in a well know peat-free compost - seedling distortion and eventually
death. This is not only a waste of money, but more importantly a
waste of my time. Fortunately I have a local source of Irish peat
compost (Mother Earth), never again will I buy a fancy, modern,
environmentally friendly, lethal compost.

Phil




--
Regards,
Martin Brown