[USCC] Adding urea to land clearing vegetation

[Scott Reil]

Tamara raises an excellent point. Without the existing biology to convert
the ammonia to nitrate, the majority of the urea will simply volatize.
Better to add biology than chemical fertilizers. One would also be better
served to simply add greens (nitrogen and bacterial) to your browns (ammonia
and fungal) and let nature take it's course.


Scott Reil
Safe Lawns and Landscapes LLC
70 Highland Park Drive
Bloomfield CT 06002
860-243-8733



-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Tamara Thomas
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:51 PM
To: 'Compost Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [USCC] Adding urea to land clearing vegetation

Hi Craig,
	At the risk of being mechanistic- urea is approximately 46% N - so
assuming a C:N of 400 and 0.1% N content of your woody debris about 58# urea
per ton should get you close to  C:N of 30.  
	But on a more theoretical basis, isn't using chemical N defeating
some of the environmental benefits of composting?  Woody material has lately
(until the drop in oil price again) been in great demand as hogged fuel, as
well as to facilitate composting of higher nitrogen feedstocks - biosolids,
green grass, etc.  It seems a shame to force the degradation of this
material with chemicals when it has so many other beneficial uses.  
	I also wonder whether the addition of urea would lower the pH of the
compost excessively?  Have you tried this?  What about odor related to
volatilization of ammonia?

Tamara Thomas, P.E.
Terre-SourceLLC
Helping Compost Happen!
360-336-3536 Office
360-336-3530 FAX
425-844-6068 Field

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Coker [mailto:cscoker at verizon.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 2:44 PM
To: USCC Listserv
Subject: [USCC] Adding urea to land clearing vegetation

Colleagues:

 

Does anyone have any good formulas for the amount of urea to add to woody
vegetative debris to adjust C:N ratio for composting? 

 

One OSU reference I found referring to BYC said 1 lb per CY of compost mix;
one yard waste facility I work with uses 50 lbs every 100' or so of 6' x 15'
windrow.  

 

Are there any other proven approaches you'd like to share?

 

Thanks,

Craig

 

Craig Coker

Coker Composting & Consulting

1213 Spradlin Rd.

Vinton, VA 24179

Tel.: (540) 890-1086

Fax: (540) 890-1087

Cell: (540) 874-5168

Email: cscoker at verizon.net

Web: www.cokercompost.com

 

This e-mail communication (including any attachments) may contain legally
privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you should
immediately stop reading this message and delete it from your system. Any
unauthorized reading, distribution, copying or other use of this
communication (or its attachments) is strictly prohibited.

 




_______________________________________
Join us at the US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show
January 26-29th, 2009 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX.
The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of
the composting and organics recycling industry.
Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or
the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to:
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org