No Such Thing as Too Much Compost?

1. Pollution of waters is ONLY possible if the "nutrients" are Soluble. Aka "Man made" fertilizers (salts). Salts are not useful in growing well founded plants of any kind even though the present universe of organic and conventional commercial Agriculture uses them heavily. This poor growing practice is what lead to the viewer comment. :) :)
2. I liked the music at the end of your video, please tell me what's the name of the song?
3. any other companion plants that might help bring balance to the soil food wed? Im thinking some type of flowers.
4. I thought I had viewed all your videos but must have somehow missed this one. I really didn't think it was possible to over-compost. Wrong again. I've been procrastinating having my soil tested but now I'm motivated to do it. Thanks.
5. Hi Patrick, I've recently been watching all your videos about too much compost and too many nutrients. This spring I had my soil tested and the result showed I have very high phosphorous concentrations but low everything else, well they only tested 4 things, and the humus content is estimated to be low. It puzzles me a lot as I have never had terribly much compost or composted horse manure to spread, never those recommended 1-2 inches - so where the high concentration comes from I don't understand. My main problem now is, it's been recommended to not spread manure and only very little compost, but my soil is hard, un-tilled and not walked on, with that low humus content. What would you recommend? Mulching with leaves, coffee grounds and garden clippings? I don't want to contribute to phosphorous pollution, but have to do something to get my soil more amenable, so I'd really appreciate your advice.
6. Per your video.Sent off soil sample of my compost pile before spreading on my garden beds.Phosphorus [584] excessive, potassium [217]excessive, calcium [3899] excessive, zinc [114] excessive and toxic level.Built bed last December; straw, leaves, grass clippings and layer of garden soil.Let sit until soil test was taken.The extreme results prompted me to call the soil lab at Clemson University, SC.Very glad I did, based on the soil test of my beds the compost would have created a toxic environment.Was instructed to not use any of the compost in my vegetable garden.So, YES, you can over compost.Don't love your plants to DEATH.I have been a very heavy composter for many years and I now have over done it.
7. If I get tons of foliage and little veg, does this mean I have an excess of a certain nutrient?
8. I have excessive phosphorus, is there any way I can work to reduce it?Presently using 15-0-15 fert. per soil test.Is there anything else I can do?
9. as a nerd and gardener, I can't thank you enough for this series! Evidence for the win!
10. Where did you buy this big, black bin? I want one those for me.
11. I guess the rule "everything in moderation" applies to gardening as well! This is why algae blooms can occur in commercial agriculture. Again, another great video!
12. I guess it is a lot like vitamins and minerals. If we take the recommended amount, they are good for us. If we take too much, they can be harmful. I never thought about limiting the amount of compost that we use before. Learn something new every day. Thanks, Patrick.
13. Thank you for the video! I think though that God put in place measures so that things work themselves out. I believe what may be happening is that the plants are being stressed (touched, coming in contact with disease and unfamiliar soils and such) and that the plants are unable to uptake their nutrients so they appear to be adding up and causing problems.  I could be wrong though of course, hope this helps!
14. Great info. From my experience, there can be too much compost, in my case, because of the quality of compost I received was not composted enough and sucked all the nitrogen from the soil, according to a soil test I did after having issues. I would always highly recommend everyone do a soil test, to know what you have, then you will know where to go. I think I addressed this in a past video somewhere. Of course I'm sure your compost is much more superior to what I order several years ago, and am slowly recovering from this. I have yet to understand how some grow in 100% compost. Another reason I have started a small compost bin,
15. Hi Patrick,
    This is very interesting! I will take your advice and have a my soil tested.
    Thanks for sharing, as always your info is top-notch!
    Scarlett 
16. well that makes since when a plant doesn't have to work for a little food it gets lazy, lazy plants = weak plants or pest susceptible plants. this is the exact reason when me personally will use spent or already used soil/compost at about 50-50 with some freshly made at home or store bought compost. so that some organic matter is there new, and ready to give some nutrients. compost that has already been used is just giving the plant a media to grown in as well as some worm food for later nutrients given to the soil.
17. I live in a city that frowns on residents making compost. So I BOUGHT IT! 
    
    I CAN say there IS such a thing as too much compost. I added almost a foot of compost and a soil test the following year showed phosphate well above "optimum" amounts, and calcium, magnesium and potash COMPLETELY OFF THE CHART! 
    see: http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/theoriginalbowtie/SOILTEST1.jpg
    
    What I don't think has been mentioned is that it raises your soil pH too. Mine went from a perfect 6.2-6.4, ideal for growing things like tomatoes, peppers, corn, melons, etc, to 7.1, which is a little high & alkaline for those veggies. Keep this in mind whenever making large additions of compost, and it shows the importance of getting a soil test done after major changes or at least every 2-3 years. AND if available, pay the extra for ORGANIC MATTER % tests. Most readings are in the 1% to 5% range--mine was 36%!
18. I can't imagine this would be a problem that many gardeners would experience.  Our concern is creating enough compost in the first place or even getting sufficient mulch for a deep mulch system.  Deep mulch takes a long time to rot down and produce the kinds of nutrients which might pose a problem.  We compost everything we can get our hands on but there is seldom enough for more than half a dozen vegetable beds out of the 30 or so we have.  Must admit I would love to have the 'problem' of having 'too much' of the stuff so I could transform my heavy clay soil.
19. compost is like a slow release fertilizer. It will be released only when plants require it.
20. Good video. I wonder how much they added to their garden to make it too much? 5 inches? 10 inches? I will pull up and read the articles from the links you provided.