Thread: solarizing compost
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Old 07-09-2003, 09:12 PM
Noydb
 
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Default solarizing compost
wrote:



over the last 2 seasons a problem with anthracnose has developed in areas
i plant tomatoes...not really a problem if you can keep the soil away from
the fruit when it rains and soil splashes.

however, i made the mistake of putting some infected tomato waste into my
composter so i am sure that the compost is contaminated.

my intention is to put the compost into large clear plastic bags, wet it
down and let it sit in the sun thereby solarizing it and hopefully killing
any diseases in the compost.


any comments on my chances for success would be appreciated


Why not mix in some fresh nitrogen (blood meal, fresh manure, grass
clippings, etc.) and run it through the composter again? Make certain it
gets hot enough long enough and you should be "home free". This won't take
any longer than solarizing it and, this time of year, will probably yield
higher temps.


Bill
--
Zone 8b (Detroit, MI)
I do not post my address to news groups.

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