Calcium question.

I’ve moved recently and no longer have access to my compost pile. I’ve decided to substitute with CoM lobster compost until I can rebuild my compost. I’m still new to organics but am I correct in assuming a lobster/shellfish based Compost mix is chock full of calcium? In using coots soil mix should I go easy on the oyster shell flour? And would adding crustacean meal to this mix work against me?

Synthinnati said:

I’ve moved recently and no longer have access to my compost pile. I’ve decided to substitute with CoM lobster compost until I can rebuild my compost. I’m still new to organics but am I correct in assuming a lobster/shellfish based Compost mix is chock full of calcium? In using coots soil mix should I go easy on the oyster shell flour? And would adding crustacean meal to this mix work against me?

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Not an expert here, but your thought process makes sense to me. I don't think there is any way to tell exactly what's in the compost without testing it, so maybe going half on the oyster would be a good starting point. I like to think that the microbes will sort things out as long as all things are relatively in the ballpark.

Maybe instead of adding more crab meal, you could try some insect frass. Seems like it could add something a little different while still boosting the chitin I believe.

Again, no expert, just my two cents. Best of luck moving forward though.

In my opinion, you're 100% on the right track. Expect calcium in the lobster compost. Adjust oyster shell flour and other high calcium amendments accordingly.

Crustacean meal in your mix, right now may be overkill on calcium. But after you pot your plants and they grow in your soil they'll consume the calcium (and phosphorus and magnesium). Then you can top dress with the crab shell to add back what your plants take out, without having to mess with bottled cal/mag or pH down or any of that BS.