Comments on: Horse Manure Odors, Flies and Neighbors’ Complaints http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/ Successful Manure & Waste Management Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:50:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: peter http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/#comment-939 peter Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:16:28 +0000 http://www.o2compost.com/blog/?p=27#comment-939 Ron - I suspect that composting will destroy the efficacy of crab grass, however, I haven't tested it specifically. There is an easy way to test any specific type of seed or plant part to confirm that composting does, in fact, destroy its reproductive viability. First, place a sample of the material being tested in a nylon mesh bag and place the bag in your compost pile (the O2Compost Micro-Bin is ideal for this). If you are testing seeds, these should first be placed in a short tube of nylon stocking (i.e. 6" length of panty-hose), knotted at both ends making it easy to retrieve them after the trial. Second, compost the entire batch for ~30 days, ensuring that pile temperatures exceed 131 degrees F for at least 3 days. Last, remove the nylon bag. Place the composted seeds or plant material in a garden pot with good quality potting soil and/or garden soil and perform your own growth trial. Let me know what you learn from your trials. Ron - I suspect that composting will destroy the efficacy of crab grass, however, I haven’t tested it specifically. There is an easy way to test any specific type of seed or plant part to confirm that composting does, in fact, destroy its reproductive viability.

First, place a sample of the material being tested in a nylon mesh bag and place the bag in your compost pile (the O2Compost Micro-Bin is ideal for this). If you are testing seeds, these should first be placed in a short tube of nylon stocking (i.e. 6″ length of panty-hose), knotted at both ends making it easy to retrieve them after the trial.

Second, compost the entire batch for ~30 days, ensuring that pile temperatures exceed 131 degrees F for at least 3 days.

Last, remove the nylon bag. Place the composted seeds or plant material in a garden pot with good quality potting soil and/or garden soil and perform your own growth trial.

Let me know what you learn from your trials.

]]> By: ron http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/#comment-938 ron Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:59:48 +0000 http://www.o2compost.com/blog/?p=27#comment-938 Can composting also do the same with crabgrass? If so, what are its nitrogen/carbon characteristics? I also know that corn gluten can be used as an effective organic pre-emergent control but it sure is expensive! Can composting also do the same with crabgrass? If so, what are its nitrogen/carbon characteristics? I also know that corn gluten can be used as an effective organic pre-emergent control but it sure is expensive!

]]> By: peter http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/#comment-233 peter Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:34:10 +0000 http://www.o2compost.com/blog/?p=27#comment-233 <p>I believe that composting Bermuda Grass and achieving a minimum temperature of 131 degrees F throughout the pile for at least 3 days will effectively destroy the stolens and seeds. While I have not tested Bermuda Grass specifically, I have tested Japanese Knot Weed, Horse Tail, Scots Broom, and a variety of other tenacious plants and invasive weed seeds, all with 100% success.</p> <p>As I "preach" in my workshops, we learn by doing, so let's give it a try.</p> I believe that composting Bermuda Grass and achieving a minimum temperature of 131 degrees F throughout the pile for at least 3 days will effectively destroy the stolens and seeds. While I have not tested Bermuda Grass specifically, I have tested Japanese Knot Weed, Horse Tail, Scots Broom, and a variety of other tenacious plants and invasive weed seeds, all with 100% success.

As I “preach” in my workshops, we learn by doing, so let’s give it a try.

]]> By: kathy katz http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/#comment-208 kathy katz Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:50:27 +0000 http://www.o2compost.com/blog/?p=27#comment-208 I have another question.Will the heat of the system actually kill Bermuda grass stolens and seeds? I like to compost my horse manure but i have never found anything that actually kills Bermuda Grass. I have another question.Will the heat of the system actually kill Bermuda grass stolens and seeds? I like to compost my horse manure but i have never found anything that actually kills Bermuda Grass.

]]> By: Charles Hunt http://www.o2compost.com/blog/2007/11/15/horse-manure-odors-flies-and-neighbors-complaints/#comment-156 Charles Hunt Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:18:15 +0000 http://www.o2compost.com/blog/?p=27#comment-156 Thanks for the heads up. I have farms in GA & FL and know that my days are numbered before these sort of articles will be directed my way. Planning and changing now is my only hope to keep doing what I love. Keep me posted!! Thanks for the heads up. I have farms in GA & FL and know that my days are numbered before these sort of articles will be directed my way. Planning and changing now is my only hope to keep doing what I love.

Keep me posted!!

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