I don't agree that "Compost usually refers to partially decomposted organic
matter that will continue to decay and disappear." I consider "Compost" to
be fully decomposed organic matter. I refer to what you call "compost" as
partially-composted material. That's ok for top dressing, but not adding to
soil. Experiments have been conducted (U. MD) in growing plants (Italian
frying peppers) in 5 gallon buckets with only compost as the growing medium
and they did great.
__________________
John Henry Wheeler
Washington, DC
USDA Zone 7
"Compost Nut" wrote in message
...
On 3/21/05 7:14 AM, in article ,
"Frogleg" wrote:

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:37:44 -0500, Jeana wrote:

Someone is telling me they're going to start a raised bed veggie garden
with a load of compost. Not digging it in, just planting in compost.
When I said, get a soil test first, and you need to dig the compost in
etc..., he said I was wrong. I don't mind being wrong, but am I missing
something here with what he's doing?

As anyone who's maintained (or rather, not maintained) a 'cold'
compost pile, plants *love* it and will take root or germinate in
compost in profusion. However, 'compost' usually refers to partially
decomposed organic matter that will continue to decay and disappear.
Without any soil, your friend will have sunken gardens rather than
raised beds.
I prefer to dig my compost in. Reason: To leave it on the surface could
kill
the living organisms in it. I say bury it. But there are lots of ways to
skin a cat...some are better some are worse. Most will work to some
degree.
Gary