Friend has a question..."help"

[Deleted]

Well, here is the question just as it was asked me....

"I am designing a greenhouse to be heated by compost and have a concern that you can help Me with. The sides will be hay bales and My lotus plants will be in black barrels in water. Structure will be covered w/ clear plastic. Heat source will be manure coveed w/ 8 soil to filter out the amonia. Now here is My question...If the hay had been treated w/ Grazon or other herbicide, do you think that the heat and moisture might leach the Grazon into a gas which could defeat My propagation efforts? "

[Kathy]

I've never used any hay that had been treated with herbicides or fungicides so my opinion is just a guess.

I'd suggest she find some hay that is not treated to use inside since I believe the herbicides will leach into the air which won't be good for propagation. I also have some serious concerns about breathing in that air that may contain herbicides/chemicals within a semi closed environment.

Could she possibly construct exterior compost piles and run piping through the piles and into the green house? That way keeps the 'nasties' confined and away from the plants and workers.