Had to trash my compost
Channel: Escaping The Daily Grind
Date: 2024-02-21

I am quite sure the original straw I used for my chicken coop and therefor my compost had grazon in it.  This is a blanket term for a few compounds of herbicide that are used to spray grain fields and cow pastures.  These herbicides do not affect grasses, but will kill most other plants.  It has a super long half life and even stays active when passing through the gut of a cow.  It will even handle the high heat of composting and come out on the other end with devastating effects to your garden.  I am very bummed as It has been spread all throughout my garden and ruined my compost.  I will have to start new with these compost bins and will be using pine shavings instead.  It's such a disappointment.  I do not believe the new straw Ive been using has it, because I have tested the newer bales of straw for this grazon.  It's not hard to test, all you have to do is try growing some beans (which are some of the most susceptible to this compound) in whatever medium you plan on using.  Whether that be manure, straw, or compost.  I did not test the original bales I used for my chicken bedding about a year ago and I believe that is what caused all these issues.  I now will have to re-start my tomato seedlings in new soil.