Use of Bat Guano in Root Vegetables in Earthbox

greenthumbomaha · November 9, 2015

I found a sale and purchased Dr. Earth potting soil with bat guanno, worm castings, etc to use in an indoor container this winter. Can I use this medium for vegetables that may come in contact with the soil? Potential vegetables/fruits are lettuce, strawberries, carrots and bush peas. I can use it later for tomato seedlings if safety is an issue. I don't want to invite a case of a food borne illness.

- Lisa

Sun City Linda · November 9, 2015

I don't know about your question but when growing in an Earthbox the recommendation is to use a growing mix, not soil that is mostly peat and does not contain any manures of any type or sand. Most often used would be a mix of (70%) sphagnum peat, bark chips and perlite.

greenthumbomaha · November 9, 2015

I called the company this morning and was assured it was safe for use in my situation. After opening the bag this indeed would hold too much moisture for an Earthbox. I have other containers that would work well for this mix and it was very nice and rich, not at all like a mostly peat product. I am not the best at always being available to water so I appreciate this and consider it worth the extra money.

Now to things cleaned up and get those lights going.

- Lisa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

I don't know about your question but when growing in an Earthbox the recommendation is to use a growing mix, not soil that is mostly peat and does not contain any manures of any type or sand. Most often used would be a mix of (70%) sphagnum peat, bark chips and perlite.

Ed of Somis · November 14, 2015

Green....be very careful about using any potting mix that retains an over-abundance of water. MG "moisture control" is a good example of a potting mix that is a disaster in most situations. It turns the lower portion of the pot medium into a mucky mess...and roots will not grow there (no air retention). The stuff actually works good in hanging basket situations...where the medium normally dries out too fast.

Cole_Robbie · November 14, 2015

Most bat guano that I know of is mined from ancient, petrified deposits. So I would think, as far any animal poo goes, it would be the least likely to spread illness.

November 9, 2015	#1
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Use of Bat Guano in Root Vegetables in Earthbox I found a sale and purchased Dr. Earth potting soil with bat guanno, worm castings, etc to use in an indoor container this winter. Can I use this medium for vegetables that may come in contact with the soil? Potential vegetables/fruits are lettuce, strawberries, carrots and bush peas. I can use it later for tomato seedlings if safety is an issue. I don't want to invite a case of a food borne illness. - Lisa

November 9, 2015	#2
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	I don't know about your question but when growing in an Earthbox the recommendation is to use a growing mix, not soil that is mostly peat and does not contain any manures of any type or sand. Most often used would be a mix of (70%) sphagnum peat, bark chips and perlite.

November 14, 2015	#4
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Green....be very careful about using any potting mix that retains an over-abundance of water. MG "moisture control" is a good example of a potting mix that is a disaster in most situations. It turns the lower portion of the pot medium into a mucky mess...and roots will not grow there (no air retention). The stuff actually works good in hanging basket situations...where the medium normally dries out too fast.

November 14, 2015	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Most bat guano that I know of is mined from ancient, petrified deposits. So I would think, as far any animal poo goes, it would be the least likely to spread illness.