Kitchen Garden Forum

Bark and/or wood chips/fibre are, of course, just as 'organic' as the horse s**t itself - in the sense that they all come from living origins. If these are indeed part of the 'Mr Muck' recipe, then I don't see what the problem is (and you'd be hard pressed to recognise any individual component following the composting process).

Many gardening products, from composts to soil improvers contain wood/bark-derived ingredients. If they're composted/processed properly (and they've been in use for years) then there should be no ill-effects. They probably enhance the usefulness of the product (especially as a soil conditioner) and are, of course, sustainable in the true sense of the word.

Commercial nurseryfolk have been running successful businesses using peat-free composts containing bark/wood fibre for many moons.

Nature's Babe, I visited an organic grower not long ago who makes almost all his plant-raising module compost on-site, from - you guessed it - wood chips. These are delivered free by local tree surgeons and the like (saving on disposal/landfill costs), and make usable compost in 2-3 years (with regular turning). He does add an organic source of potash fertiliser, and some lime, but otherwise that's about it. The compost isn't 'sterilised' in any way, in fact his whole approach is to encourage a biologically active and 'alive' compost, where of course mycorrhizae play an important role. He's a real inspiration.

If I can add my 10 pence worth to this debate, I would just say simply "IT WORKS" and I have to admit that visually I would be hard pushed to tell you whats in it as it is that well composted. Although this is my first season of use I have seen no evidence of weeds from it unlike the stuff I bought from the local recycling centre thats filled my greenhouse with weeds.

Ken

Hi Ken,
I think that 6X is prepared from chicken muck and not sewerage as you mentioned. Of course I could be wrong. I somehow remember an article that said it was chicken waste made into a slurry and all the impurities removed and then heat treated to and then dried and reconstituted.
I did use it many years ago and had good results from it.
Mr Muck sounds very good and just so long as any wood/bark that is used is thoroughly composted will only enhance the product as regards soil conditioning. My thoughts are that where many composters are going wrong is that the wood/bark has not been sufficiently composted before they get it out to the public.
At last I have found a source of New Horizon and although too late for this year they have assured me that they will be stocking it next year so I will be able to give it a trial then.
I have yet to see Mr Muck on sale hereabouts and I am only one county above you. I sounds to be a very good product because results are what count above all.
JB.