We know that composting is a smart thing to do. So is choosing organic produce over conventionally grown food to feed ourselves and our families.

But the reality is that it’s not always possible for everyone to buy organic all the time. For some people, it’s not just a matter of availability but also a matter of cost.

So the question is, “Is it O.K. to add non-organic fruits and vegetables to the compost pile?” True, not all non-organic produce is treated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but a lot of it is—and the scraps that get added to the compost pile almost inevitably contain traces of chemical residue.

Thus, it would make sense to assume that the resulting compost would also contain traces of chemical residue that then gets reapplied to the soil during planting time. This is the question that Jane Lear tackles in a recent column titled “Jane Says: Don’t Worry About Pesticide Residues in Compost.” (You can find the article here.)

The author’s take-away is that the overall benefits of composting greatly outweigh any traces of residue that might still remain in compost (and any time spent worrying about whether to compost something or not). That’s because the microbial action that generates a compost pile’s heat will break down most common pesticides and herbicides. Moreover, research indicates that compost can help clean up nasty contaminants (like VOCs) that may already be lurking in the soil.

These are all compelling reasons to continue composting—and to add volcanic basalt to your compost pile. That’s because the addition of nutrient-rich volcanic rock dust increases the microbial activity of your compost pile.  By adding a high quality volcanic rock dust like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster to your compost pile, you are adding another source of nutrition for hungry microbes. More microbial activity means more heat. More heat means more thorough composting.

(Note: Application is simple. Just add a thin layer of rock dust to your compost pile, alternating between layers of carbon-rich materials (“browns”) and nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”). Turn and water as needed to help the compost break down more quickly.)

That said, we believe in exercising sensible “composting caution.”  There are some materials that don’t break down during the composting process, or transform physical properties altogether. For example, the article mentions the chemical clopyralid. Used in several lawn and turf products, it becomes more concentrated during the composting process and grass clipping that have been treated with this product should not be added to the compost pile.

As for the occasional non-organic apple or conventionally grown carrot? Go ahead and compost them! Your wallet and your soil will thank you.

The post Bring on the Heat: Why Volcanic Basalt is a Composter’s Best Friend appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

In this YouTube video, agronomist Rich Affeldt explains how to add mineral-rich volcanic rock dust to your compost bin:

You’ll see that the addition of nutrient-rich rock dust increases the energy level—or the heat—of your compost pile.  That’s because composting is the result of millions of microorganisms feeding on each other and breaking down the organic matter in the pile. More microbial activity means more heat. More heat means faster composting.

By adding a high quality rock dust like Cascade Minerals to your compost pile, you are adding another source of nutrition for these microbes. You might even say that you are enhancing the behind-the-scenes “bacterial ballet” that is responsible for the composting process.

Application is simple. Just add a thin layer of rock dust to your compost pile, alternating between layers of carbon-rich materials (“browns”) and nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”). Turn and water as needed to help the compost break down more quickly.

Here are a few other composting tips:

1. Use a variety of different materials to ensure that your compost has everything that healthy soil needs. (Too much of any one material can cause an imbalance and slow down the process). For example: add mushrooms for copper, tomatoes for manganese, and apples for boron. Top it off with nitrogen-rich coffee grounds.

2. When adding garden debris to your compost pile, chop or shred materials into pieces 6-inches or smaller. This gives microorganisms more surface area to feed upon and speeds decomposition.

3. Make sure your compost pile gets enough air by turning it frequently, either with a tumbling composter or by rotating material with a pitchfork.

4. Don’t let your compost pile dry out. Add enough water so that the compost pile is as consistently damp as a wrung-out sponge.

6. If you are adding kitchen scraps to your compost pile, use a compost bin that is resistant to rodents to prevent problems.

7. Never add diseased plants, invasive weeds, animal fats or dairy products to your compost pile.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be rewarded with mineral-rich compost to feed the soil…and healthy soil means healthy plants, healthy people, and healthy planet.

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