Compost sources in Pittsburgh (Bridgeville, Oakland: houses, organic, live)

[MountainDewGuy]

I am looking for additional varieties of compost to use in my garden.

Here is what I have tried.

Some local stores like Whole Foods and Soergel's sell Coast of Maine lobster compost. I have this and I like it.

Lowes sells organic mushroom compost. I have this and I like it.

Lowes and Home Depot usually have cow manure compost. I have tried this and it is fine.

I have tried the AgRecycle compost purchased via a local garden center, and did not like it.

In the past I have found shrimp compost and seaweed compost at a hydroponic store in Cranberry. I like this compost but I don't think it is currently sold there.

I would love to find more sources for compost. Has anyone been able to find quality compost besides what I listed above?

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

I am looking for additional varieties of compost to use in my garden.

Here is what I have tried.

Some local stores like Whole Foods and Soergel's sell Coast of Maine lobster compost. I have this and I like it.

Lowes sells organic mushroom compost. I have this and I like it.

Lowes and Home Depot usually have cow manure compost. I have tried this and it is fine.

I have tried the AgRecycle compost purchased via a local garden center, and did not like it.

In the past I have found shrimp compost and seaweed compost at a hydroponic store in Cranberry. I like this compost but I don't think it is currently sold there.

I would love to find more sources for compost. Has anyone been able to find quality compost besides what I listed above?

I make my own compost using Starbucks coffee grinds, fall foliage, egg shells, and potato skins.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

I make my own compost using Starbucks coffee grinds, fall foliage, egg shells, and potato skins.

Nice. I am in the process of doing so, with limited success so far. Need to get the ratios right.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Nice. I am in the process of doing so, with limited success so far. Need to get the ratios right.

It took me years to get it right. One year I thought a horse died in my back yard. Never ever add onions to the mix. I have learned that less is more. I use mostly leaves and small sticks. I add coffee grinds over time. I add lots of egg shells but limit the potato skins. I was told by an older neighbor to add grass clippings for nitrogen.

[shadowfax]

Rolling Hills Ranch on Hickory Grade road in Bridgeville has a very large compost heap of horse manure. At the bottom is some very nice rich black soil that has been composting for several years. Many of the local greenhouses and gardeners drive in for a bucketload or several tons of the stuff. And it's FREE.

[theta_sigma]

You need to make friends with some chicken owners.

[Pughnose]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

I have tried the AgRecycle compost purchased via a local garden center, and did not like it.

Why not, please? I was planning to get a truckload of their 30% compost dirt delivered for my back yard.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by theta_sigma

You need to make friends with some chicken owners.

Ugh. Horse leavings smell better.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by Pughnose

Why not, please? I was planning to get a truckload of their 30% compost dirt delivered for my back yard.

It just was not very composty, if that makes sense. I bought it last year at Sestili's in Oakland and it was closer to a mulch blend with large chunks of sticks throughout. I see that ArRecycle has different compost versions on their website, some of it screened. The stuff I bought just said "compost" so maybe I got one of their non screened versions. I will need to stop by Sestili again and check to see if they have different versions.

Let us know how it goes if you get that compost.

[BMan_152]

If you're in the suburbs, I know that some of them shred tree branches (mulch) & compost autumn leaves (compost).. These are generally available cheap or free to residents.