Exploring Compost

Throop Learning Garden Workshop, July 31, 2016

What makes good compost?

George Patton and Sheryl Spangler led our gathered gardeners on a sultry Saturday morning in late July to explore all things compost. We began with a review of what had been constructed at Throop. 

We looked at our static bins, worm bins, and talked about how to expand our capacity to make living compost. This led to a hands-on opportunity for six participants to actually build a biodynamic compost stack. Along the way we shared experiences and questions, further enriching the discussion.

So what’s George and Sheryl’s recipe for making good compost?

• Start with an area or container that is at least 3’x3’.
• It’s best to locate compost in the shade.
• Have a covering of some sort to preserve moisture.
• Build a “mattress” at the bottom to contain the nutrients. This could be cardboard sheets, newspaper, or a bedding of straw or leaves.
• Add water soaked, soggy chunks of cardboard,
• Add worms,
• Add an “inoculant”: a handful or two of good compost, or commercial starter,
• Next successively stack layers of green leaves, brown leaves and twigs, then manure or alfalfa,
• Make sure each layer is watered thoroughly,
• Top with straw, newspaper, or cardboard. This keeps moisture in and minimizes critters.

We built our biodynamic compost in under 2 hours. It’s cooking nicely, so we anticipate having finished compost in 4-6 weeks. (Update: As of 9/10 it has decreased over 1.5 feet in mass, & the interior is looking like rich soil).

Stop by and take a look. It’s located at the Los Robles end of the church property in the area near the bus stop.

Thanks to George and Sheryl for their thoughtful instruction. Thanks to all who participated, for your questions, energy, and joyful work.

— January Nordman