Dug up some weeds today at the plot and left them to desiccate on a bucket for a few days (some have extensive roots). I like to display them, in part, as a lesson to other weeds that might be thinking about germinating (just don't). In a few days I'll slide them into the nearby pit of despair for eventual burial. #GrowYourOwn #garden #gardening #allotment #weeds #composting
Replacing the trellis (already removed) by the shed. Major clearance of Ground Elder and removal of Pyracantha which insisted on attacking me every time I went near. Compost bins to be moved into the corner (same orientation) and timber arch made vertical again (hence the blue rope from its top to a stake kn the ground. Several sessions remaining to complete this first spring project. #gardening #composting
@eugeneparnell
I also use the 3 bin method, but only because I had enough scrap pressure treated lumber to build 3 bins. Slightly different process, but multiple bins make it easy to turn the pile. Ours is still frozen here, and I usually turn it in May.
#Composting year one complete. 2 cubic yds of miscanthus straw (seeds removed), mixed in a modified Johnson-Su bioreactor with ~25 gallons of kitchen scraps yielded 60 gallons of compost.
@witchescauldron You don't feel the concept of #PicksAndShovels isn't at all, one teensy tiny little bit, analogous to your #composting fetish then?
#DuarteCA #CommunityGarden to be developed at #TzeitelParasCaracciPark
March 12, 2025
"Duarte residents will soon have a new space to grow fresh produce, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the outdoors. Last month, the Duarte City Council approved the development of the Duarte Community Garden at Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park (2701 Royal Oaks Drive).
"'This project exemplifies our dedication to creating #sustainable, #accessible spaces for our residents,' said Mayor Cesar A. Garcia. 'This garden will not only enhance the beauty of our park but also provide a space where our community can come together, learn, and share in the joy of nature. I am excited to see this project grow and look forward to it becoming a vibrant part of our community.'
"The goal of the Duarte Community Garden is to increase #FoodSovereignty by creating garden plots for community members to grow healthy food, cultivate agricultural literacy with educational programs, gather community by creating a welcoming and accessible garden space, and perform ecosystem services by removing grass, installing a sustainable #DripIrrigation system, building a #NativeHabitatGarden, and collecting #compost.
"The garden will feature 20 plots and two #ADAAccessible raised beds, available for rent at $5 per month. Community members can plant edible (excluding smokable) plants and flowers for personal, noncommercial use. It will include a storage shed with garden tools, an irrigation system promoting sustainable practices, and ADA-accessible decomposed granite pathways.
"The garden will be run in partnership with Food Exploration and Discovery (#FoodEd), a nonprofit organization that collaborates with San Gabriel Valley communities to create edible education sites and provide programs on #ecosystem #stewardship, healthy living, #environmental innovation, and entrepreneurship.
"Food Ed’s educational model will support gardeners of all skill levels, providing supplies and plants for beginners while experienced gardeners can use their own resources. The garden will also offer picnic benches for community #gatherings and host educational programs on topics like #VegetableGardening, #composting, #DroughtTolerant landscaping, and #SoilHealth.
"As the lead on this grant project, Food Ed will be responsible for building the #DuarteCommunityGarden. This includes overseeing site construction, collecting infrastructure bids, contractor management, program management, community engagement and workshops/events, processing plot holder applications, plant and soil replenishment, above ground irrigation repairs, developing the garden’s webpage and branding and overall garden management through October of 2026.
"For more information on the Duarte Community Garden, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931."
Source:
https://heysocal.com/2025/03/12/duarte-community-garden-to-be-developed-at-tzeitel-paras-caracci-park/
#ThirdSpaces #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #California #SolarPunk #Composting
#Composting program to provide #Everglades with soil for #CommunityGarden
by Martin Vassolo, March 12, 2025
"Your food scraps could be used to help support the Everglades through a new partnership between the village of #PinecrestFL and the #MiccosukeeTribe.
"Instead of dumping #FoodWaste into crowded #landfills, which produce #methane emissions, the #EvergladesEarthCycleProject will expand Pinecrest's residential composting program and deliver nutrient-rich soil to the #Miccosukee Tribe.
"Driving the news: The project, funded with a $400,000 federal grant and other contributions, calls for installing four new #CompostingBins in Pinecrest and three around #MiamiDade County District 7.
"The initial phase of the program will supply compost to the #SwampyMeadows #CommunityGarden, which grows vegetables just outside the Miccosukee Indian School.
"Another proposal that's been floated is adding new soil to the Everglades' tree islands, though that would need tribal approval, says the Rev. Houston R. Cypress of the #LoveTheEverglades Movement, a partner in the program.
"Cypress told reporters on an airboat ride through the Everglades last week that the tribe teaches 'the essence of being in harmony with nature is giving back to it.'
"'With the Everglades Earth Cycle Project, we're giving back clean and healthy soil; we're giving products that might eventually improve the water quality out here, but we're also giving directly back to local indigenous communities here,' he said.
"Pinecrest already has two free public composting bins, one at the Pinecrest Public Library and another between the Community Center and Pinecrest Gardens."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/composting-program-to-provide-everglades-with-soil-for-community-garden/ar-AA1AKQrp
#Composting #CommunityGardening #FoodSecurity #ReducingFoodWaste #SolarPunkSunday
Weed pit in my plot at the community garden. After it's full I'll top it off with soil and start another one. Keeps the garden tidy and over time becomes organic fertilizer. I know this is likely boring to most but I've noticed that many of my fellow gardeners throw their garden refuse onto the paths between plots. #gardening #allotment #weeds #compost #composting #garden
Kenora, Ont., introduces backyard composting program as next step in waste diversion plan
The City of Kenora is introducing a backyard composting program in an effort to divert food waste from going to the landfill. Here's what we know about how it will work, and what it's hoped to accomplish in the small northwestern Ontario community.
#waste #environment #city #composting #Kenora #Ontario
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kenora-backyard-composting-program-1.7480885?cmp=rss
After sorting out the #composting bins it was time to clear the #leaves that keep blowing onto the #paths and add them to the #@cages reserved for the #autumn #fall of leaves.
Another early #SolarPunkSunday, since this is also happening today (Saturday, March 8th)!
#UK, #Timsbury, #Somerset - #SeedySaturday returns to Timsbury with rare seeds and #gardening secrets
by Lewis Clark, March 3, 2025
"The annual seed and spud spectacular, Seedy Saturday, is set to return on Saturday, 8 March, bringing a blooming good time to Timsbury’s #ConygreHall. Gardeners of all levels, from seasoned horticulturists to budding green thumbs, can exchange seeds, gain expert advice, and browse a diverse selection of plants, produce, and eco-friendly goods.
"Now in its 15th year, the community-driven event will take place from 10am to 2pm. At its heart is the #SeedSwap, where visitors can leave home-grown seeds for others while picking up something new to cultivate. This tradition has helped to preserve rare and localised varieties, including #HeritagePeas and the #FarmboroughBean, a unique strain developed through years of careful seed selection.
"In addition to the swap, attendees can browse stalls selling seeds, #potatoes, fruit bushes, #herbs, cottage #perennials, and locally crafted goods. Homemade preserves, plant-based products, and gardening equipment will also be available. Expert talks will provide insight into gardening, seed saving, and #composting, while demonstrations and a children’s craft zone will ensure there is something for everyone. The Kitchen Café will serve tea, coffee, soft drinks, bacon rolls, and homemade cakes.
"Event organiser Sam Ross said: 'This event marks the start of the growing season for #SeedSwappers, amateur gardeners, allotment-holders, horticulturists, and anyone passionate about nature and the environment. The friendly, local and sustainable ethos encourages everyone to have fun growing plants, alongside saving and sharing seeds and stories with friends and neighbours.'
"Seedy Saturday is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers and is supported by sponsors Pennard Plants and Beans and Herbs. Entry is £2 for adults, while children under 16 can attend for free."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/lifestylegeneral/seedy-saturday-returns-to-timsbury-with-rare-seeds-and-gardening-secrets/ar-AA1A8wxL
#Gardening #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #BuildingCommunity #GrowYourOwn #FoodSecurity #Vegetables #Flowers
Somebody asked about getting #compost recently and I forgot to mention if your city does #composting you're entitled to the results! Our city will load it into your truck/trailer for you.
Thanks to some help from Laura’s muscles we started spreading the mature #compost onto the beds today. It looks great. I hate having chronic fatigue but it does mean my compost matures really well.
A good article... However, unless you know for sure your compost pile is reaching ideal temperatures [140 - 160 F], I would sterilize eggshells before composting them [200 F oven for 30 minutes].
#Gardener shares step-by-step method for #composting in even the smallest space: 'The tutorial we all needed'
"The more we all do our part at home, the better off the environment."
by Jennifer KodrosFebruary 9, 2025
The scoop
"An organization and #DIY design pro shows how easy composting can be, no matter what size space you're living in. 'You can #compost even if you live in a small apartment,' Shavonne (@restyleliving) promises at the beginning of her video.
"Shavonne goes step by step through the process. First thing: You have to start saving food scraps. You can keep them in a bin under your sink or, if you're concerned about the smell, you can always freeze them.
"Grab an inexpensive bin from the store. Bonus points if you can find one from Goodwill or another secondhand shop. Next, take a drill and create holes about 4 inches apart all over the body and lid of the bin for oxygen. Hot tip — make sure it's not too close to the bottom so that water can't leak out.
"Now you're ready to fill it up.
"'Alternate between layers of brown and greens,' Shavonne advises. 'Browns are your carbons, which are leaves or paper products. Greens are your nitrogen or food products.'
"Anything you can eat can be composted, along with eggshells, paper products, and coffee grounds. You can put the bin in your garage or on your porch.
"Shavonne says the fertilizer will be ready in three to six months, although worms can help break everything down faster.
"Warning: Gnats and fruit flies will appear, so make sure you put your bin somewhere that won't become a problem." [One could also have fruit fly traps nearby -- which is what I do]
Source:
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-home/apartment-composting-tutorial-video/
Link to video:
https://www.tiktok.com/@restyleliving/video/7222331766403550506?referer_url=www.thecooldown.com%2Fgreen-home%2Fapartment-composting-tutorial-video%2F&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C73319237%2C121477481%2C121351166%2C121487028%2C73347566%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121503376%3Bnull%3Bembed_pause_share&referer_video_id=7222331766403550506
#SolarPunkSunday #Composting #ApartmentLiving #Compost #Gardening #UrbanGardening
If you're in the #Lexington #Kentucky area, consider taking one of these workshops on #composting: https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/compost-workshops-now-open-fayette-county-residents
Even if you're not a gardener, it's good for the environment, and you can always find a gardener who will take properly-processed compost.
#Composting #collage.
Compost textures in various stages of #decomposition.
Compost Culture: An Introductory Film
https://vimeo.com/1046340414
A nice video about Birmingham’s community #composting project which I was involved with before long-Covid took me off the board. This features the three-bay structures I designed and co-built last year and it’s quite emotional seeing them in use.
