Cotton Burr Compost

2018.04.18 Wednesday: When cotton is harvested, the plant is run through a gin to separate the cotton fiber from the seeds, stems, and leaves (the "cotton burr"). The fibers are then generally used to make fabric, while the burr is used as a type of compost to add beneficial minerals and nutrients back into the ground.

We are blessed to have a cotton gin near our home; they give the burr away free to anyone who wants to load and haul it themselves - or for $10 will use their front-end loader to place it in one's truck.

This afternoon Matthew and I went to the gin and loaded our truck full of cotton burr compost to top off the soil in our raised-bed gardens. There were several other people there doing the same, so we are going to be quite busy for a few days while we get all that we need before they run out for the year.

Soon it will be time to plant our garden; I am looking forward to seeing beautiful plants thriving in this dark, rich soil.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It's a blessing to have the mill near you AND to have son whose will to help!

[Paul]

Probably doesn't smell as bad as mushroom manure.

[Dinah Pinkston]

@pej Interesting ...I've never heard of mushroom manure! Cotton burr compost is quite fragrant until it has aged a bit ...To me it smells exactly the same as shredded pine bark. I was very thankful that the mound we were digging in had aged for several months!