Gardening question concerning SOIL

[Stina]

I used to work at a health food store where we composted huge amounts of rotting organic fruits and vegetables in the back yard in one small area. Talk about a gold mine of nutrients!

I'm thinking about digging it up and using it for potting soil to grow greens in. Any reason I shouldn't? Anything I should add to it?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[saxmaam]

Usually stuff grows great in a compost pile outdoors. I've had two different kinds of experiences indoors -- either (a) everything grows great in it, or (b) the plants get aphids or whiteflies, or whatever and don't thrive. It's worth a try.

[rawstrength]

All the guides that I've read say that straight compost can be too strong for some plants. You should mix some peat moss in with the compost.
I can't afford peat moss right now, so I am growing all my potted plants in pure compost and they are doing fine.

[Stina]

What is peat moss anyway?

Someone told me to actually put the soil into the oven and bake it. ? Naturally, as a raw vegan, I was suspicious!

[rawstrength]

What is peat moss anyway?

Someone told me to actually put the soil into the oven and bake it. ? Naturally, as a raw vegan, I was suspicious!

Baking sterlizes soil. It can be good if they soil you have is filled with weed seeds, otherwise skip the baking.
Compost doesn't need to be baked because it naturally heats up to 140 degrees as it cures, killing all weed seeds in it.

[petaltothemetal]

I would only bake the soil if you were worried about fungal diseases. Same with sterilizing pots in hot water and clorox, another thing often mentioned. If you have no reason to fear fungus, I would only worry about: does the stuff look broken down and does it smell funny? If it's not showing any semblance of the original garbage that went into it and it smells like dirt, it's ok!