Check Your Mulch or Compost for Pesticide Residue

The merits of mulch are well known but how do you know if the mulch you are using is safe?

The benefit of using straw or hay as a mulch has been questioned. Unless you know the farmer and can ask what chemicals have been used in the fields how do you know the mulch you are using on your organic fruits and vegetables is pesticide free?
Clopyralid and aminopyralid, of the pyralid class of pesticides, are commonly used on hay and straw fields. Traces of these chemicals can be found not only in straw and hay but also in manure and compost as it comes through the food chain.

To test straw/hay mulch place equal parts of mulch and water in a clean container and soak overnight.

The next day, take ten 4-inch seedling pots and if it is a cool time of year plant peas if it is a warm time of year plant beans for quick germination. Label the pots into two groups, one, mulch water and the other clean water. Next, strain the mulch and water mix and use only this water on the five pots in the mulch group. If there is pyralid residue in the mulch material there will be poor germination and those that do germinate may be deformed or have curled leaves.

To test manure you want to use in your garden, pot up peas or beans as above. Next mix equal parts of manure and water and mix well until fully blended. Strain off three cups of liquid and use this on half the pots and clean water on the other, again, make sure the pots are labeled into the two groups. Watch for poor germination rate and any sign of deformity or leaf curling in the manure water group.

To test compost set up the ten pots into the two groups with five pots containing the compost you want to use and the other five pots containing regular potting soil. Water both groups the same.

Peas and beans germinate quickly and any sign of a tainted medium should be visible within a few days.

Whether you use compost, manure or straw it is best to test the medium for pyralid residue before using on your prized vegetable and berry gardens.

Healthy Food…. Healthy People