Compost with unwanted things inside

[lipx]

Hi Charles,

I recently took over an alotment that had been abandoned for 5-6 years. There’s a big compost heap, with has a lot of branches of different sizes and some dry grass on the top covering most of the compost. Under that there is a lot of compost. In the uncovered areas there are some weeds growing.

The old owners seems to not have been very careful with their compost, we find small pieces of plastic, glass and sometimes metall in it.

My question is would it be safe to use this compost for vegetable growing after removing the unwanted pieces or is it possible that they have contaminated the soil?

All the best!
Fredrik

[charles]

 Welcome to the forum Fredrik,

Yes your compost sounds good, you just need to remove the unrotting bits as you load and spread it, I find I need to do the same, even though I am being careful what I put in. We live in the age of plastic, even some cardboard has plastic between its layers. It is a good sign of your compost being healthy that weeds are growing; and good luck with the new plot.

[lipx]

That sounds good! Now at least we have a lot of compost

Thanks for all the inspiration from your books!

[Author]

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