So enjoy your time in the garden, but wear gloves and shoes, and a dust mask if handling potting soil or compost.
Compost and potting mix often contain the bacteria which cause legionellosis, also known as Legionnaires' disease. Infection can occur when dust from compost and potting mixes is inhaled. Legionnaires' disease can vary in severity from a flu-like illness to severe pneumonia.
The following general safety precautions should be followed in order to avoid transmission of dangerous fungi, bacteria and other pathogens found in compost: Always wear dry, breathable gloves to avoid direct contact with the skin, and to protect yourself from injury while using gardening tools and implements.
Always wear a mask and gloves when handling soil, compost or potting mix. Rinse gloves afterwards. Open bags of potting mix slowly and in a ventilated space. Direct the opening away from the face to avoid inhaling the mix.
TO DECREASE THE RISK OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE
So always wear gloves when you are handling bagged potting mix, mulches and compost.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscles, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Legionella bacteria can multiply in bagged potting mix, mulch and other soil products.
Rule 1: Start with the End in Mind
With composting, it helps to have a vision of what the entire process will look like. Most of our clients use their finished compost back on their pastures or in their gardens. Others see themselves selling their compost to cover some of their operating expenses.
Benefits of urine on compost
Human urine is beneficial as part of a composting system as it has a high nitrogen content along with containing potassium and phosphorus. These three are the main nutrients that are essential to healthy plant growth and ones that you see referred to as NPK on plant fertilizer labels.
Can I Just Put Compost On Top Of Soil? Compost can be added directly on top of the soil when introduced as a mulch layer for the plants. For a more immediate benefit, work the compost into the soil.
The pile should not be directly exposed to sun, wind, rain, nor sited in a low-lying place subject to unnecessary dampness and standing water. Strong sun not only dries, but also is hostile to micro-organisms.
Compost is ready to use after anywhere from one to 12 months, depending on the size of the materials placed in the compost system, the degree of management, and the intended use. Compost that will be used as a top dressing or mulch can be applied after the least amount of time.
Yes! Good airflow is one of the secrets to successful composting. Without it, your compost pile could turn into a stinky mess (literally).
Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are part of a normal composting process and responsible for the decomposition of waste. You may notice white fluffy mould in the HOTBIN, this is nothing to be concerned about and is actually an indicator that actinomycetes (a fungus-like bacterium) are present in your HOTBIN.
As a rule of thumb, actively decomposing materials should be turned every three to four days. Materials with slowed microbial activity can be turned less often. In tumblers, turning two times a week resulted in higher temperature and faster decomposition than turning once a week or once every other week (Figure 1).
Before you raid your compost bin, remember that using compost before it's ready can attract pests and damage garden plants. It can also use up nutrients in your soil, making these same nutrients unavailable to your garden plants. To make sure that your compost is ready to use, grab a handful and have a look.
Decomposition will be complete anywhere from two weeks to two years depending on the materials used, the size of the pile, and how often it is turned. Compost is ready when it has cooled, turned a rich brown color, and has decomposed into small soil-like particles. Step 5. Use the compost.
Anyone who works with bagged or bulk organic material such as garden soil, compost, mulch, or potting mix is at risk of inhaling (breathing in) Legionella bacteria.
Home gardeners are encouraged to wear a face mask and gloves while handling potting mix and compost, and to wash their hands thoroughly, to avoid contracting Legionnaires' disease.
Infection can occur when dust from compost and potting mixes is inhaled. It can take like 2-10 days to show symptoms. I know that bacteria and fungus can grow in the soil. I also realized that I left my potting mix outside in the sun for 2 days and just brought it inside.