[USCC] compost and road salt

[Michael Nevin]

Hi - I do not have any numbers or quantative studies of the effects of road salt on finished compost applications, but, intuitively, it can not be helpful to the compost to have road salt in it.
  Compared to the composting pros on this list, I compost on a small scale and my product is often used on lawns and garden patches adjacent to the compost bins which I tend. I urge my neighbours to use sand in place of road salt as a slip-hazard amendment in icy conditions so that contamination of soil will be minimized. It just seems to me that addind sand to finished compost will not materially creat any hazard or ruin quality. But road salt would seem more harmful.
  Cheers, Mike in Toronto
  P.S. I hear rumours that in Montreal sand is used instead of road salt to improve traction in winter.

Kathy Powell <Powellk at co.portage.wi.us> wrote:
  To the USCC List Serve

Is anyone familiar with how rad salt affects compost used in erosion 
control (berms, socks or blankets)t?

Is it possible for salt laden water running through berms or filter socks 
to be captured in the cation exchange process or does it flow on through?

Any protection for plants from salt damage as a result of using compost?

Kathy Powell
Recycling Connections Corp.
600 Moore Rd
Plover WI 54467
715-345-5972
powellk at recylcingconnections.org





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