RE: composting

Hi - a couple of suggestions about large-scale composting, and I know that others will be able to offer more and better researched ideas. Consider more than one compost area where the bins can be reached easily by most gardeners. Try a 3-bin system; one for fresh, second for half-baked, third for finishing. Put fresh materials in the first bin, then flip this into the next bin, and so on. The bins can be fairly big -each of mine were 5x5x5 (feet) but you could go larger. We used cedar, but I think that cinder blocks could be a good material. The walls can be taken apart to really move the pile, and they are fairly cheap and long-lasting. Don't scrimp on the water, allow for some shade, and layer in other compost helping materials (manure, etc.).

Best - Lisa in Mpls

>
>Hi;
>
>I am involved with a community garden in Saint John, New Brunswick, =
>Canada. In our fifth year of operation, we have approximately 100 plots, =
>25 by 4 feet, and are eager to begin composting onsite. There are =
>concerns about how to go about it with the large number of plots, and =
>concerns about handling the volume of material to speed the composting =
>process. We have the room to build bins but are uncertain as to what =
>size/how many we'd need. At the present time, the green refuse from the =
>garden(weeds, spoiled porduce,etc.) is being carted away in community =
>composting containers, and along with it goes a lot of the garden soil. =
>Those of us who want to compost on site need solid info to support our =
>cause.
>
>Second question: any advice about mulch for paths between rows of beds, =
>etc. We urge the gardeners to weed on a regular basis...but they don't =
>all comply.=20
>
>Any advice or suggestions on these two topics would be greatly =
>appreciated. Cheers from Canada,
>
>(Ms.) Jude Carson

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