Question
While I live in Scotland, UK I would be interested to know about the US organic certification particularly with  composting. Is it acceptable to use horticulture materials inclusive of peat, hydrogels, artificial fertilizers, pesticides, etc in compost for vegetable growing or is there any requirement in composting time before the compost is considered acceptable for use as 憃rganic?

Answer
Dear Jan:

The United States has adopted composting standards that largely parallel those in other world countries.  Suffice it to say that these standards have not been sufficiently data reduced to be explicit about a wide range of alternative acceptable compost materials; given their history that they were once in a life cycle that was touched by artificial fertilizers or other inorganic materials.  In summary, that standard is yet to be published to the best of my knowledge and research; further we can only be hopeful that a united world front of organic scientists and biologists will bring it to fruition in the future. The good news is that the success of organic gardening and farming techniques worldwide have proven immensely successful throughout the world which should provide the impetus to further develop greater research and knowledge.

Chemical replacement nutrients are no substitute for natural nutrients produced by recycled material, which is after all, what Mother Nature does if left to her own devices. Organic matter, whether farmyard or stable manure, homemade compost, recycled waste, spent mushroom compost, leaf mold or any other, contain essential nutrients and trace elements in ideal, natural proportions, which our scientists cannot emulate. And they provide moisture retentive and drainage properties, which are essential to good plant growth, and which cannot be replicated by the chemical companies.  However, this begs the question; ....what is DNA of peat, barn manure, potato peels, and coffee grounds that have now become rich brown compost?

Thank you for your very interesting question.

Regards,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee USA