Black Kow Compost

[luigiwu]

Geez, why is there sand in compost???

[Keowee]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

Geez, why is there sand in compost???

My question exactly!

[Barb_FL]

Originally Posted by Keowee

Locally, I've noticed that Black Kow from Lowe's is better quality than from Home Depot -- the bag design (particularly the font "Black Kow" is written in) is a bit different, as well. The bag I got from Home Depot last week seemed like a 3:1 ratio of compost to sand. The Lowe's bags had virtually no sand. YMMV.

I was going mention the sand. I previously used it in my raised bed, but one day I left some in a wheel barrow and when I came back, was really surprised how much sand it contained. That was it for me.

[Keowee]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

I was going mention the sand. I previously used it in my raised bed, but one day I left some in a wheel barrow and when I came back, was really surprised how much sand it contained. That was it for me.

Sounds like it's not just one batch, then. I was surprised that the packaging and content different from the two big box stores. I will use up my remaining Black Kow on the few hybrid Bonnies I'm growing that I don't really care about and switch to the good local stuff -- Stout Ollie -- for my precious little dwarfs.

[Barb_FL]

Try leaving it in the sun to dry out; you will be shocked.

[fonseca]

I wasn't aware that there were differences between the bags at big box stores. I assume Black Kow has multiple composting facilities by region, so perhaps the quality can vary.

Their website states:

We never add peat, sand or fillers of any kind to Black Kow.

I have done the quart jar test in the past, and there was only a trace of sand.

[nhardy]

So far it is a great medium to add to my sweet potato containers. It recharged my tired soil. I'm hoping for some big tubers this year.

[maxjohnson]

I just picked up a few bags and I have to admit for the price on initial impression they are very nice compost. No smell at all and very good texture. No sand whatsoever. Decided to dress an inch layer on top of my raised beds.