Yard Waste - Composting

Free Yard Waste Disposal & Fertilizer Program

I Have a compost and to be true I use it more way to keep the yard waste from getting in the garbage then to make compost for the garden. I will more then likely add some to my garden at the end of season (after I Google it to see if that's what you should do...I love Google). I have not done much in the way of aeration as I don't have the standard 'pile' but rather the black plastic box and getting a shovel in it is not easy. I did see a neat tool that is made for the job...looks like a large crochet hook but I hat spending 40 bucks on a stick...I could make one I guess. Anyhow I found out half way through the year that I have way too much yard waste for the one bin. That is one super frustrating thing about this city...not enough green pick-up and recycling comes every other week...there is way more recycling then there is garbage so it ends up piling up like mad.

Want to save your tax dollars and get free lawn and garden fertilizer in exchange for your efforts? Wouldn't you prefer to see your garden grow instead of local landfills?
Composting is a great way to reduce your household waste by 30 to 50%, producing a soil enhancement for your garden and plants.

Composting uses Natures own recycling system. With nothing fancier than fallen leaves, and fruit and vegetable peelings, you can make rich, dark compost.

By composting you can dispose of your lawn and garden waste year-round and save your tax dollars!

1. Getting StartedYou will need a compost bin and compost turner like a shovel, pitchfork or commercially made one. Set your compost in a sunny location if possible and on well-drained soil.

2. MaterialsBegin with a layer of sticks and dry materials at the bottom to help with air circulation. Next, alternate layers of brown and green materials (see list at right).

3. MaintenanceTurn the compost pile a few times a month to add air and mix the brown, carbon-rich materials with the green, nitrogen-rich materials. Keep the composting material wet but not too wet. It should feel like a wrung out sponge.

Compost can be made in three to 12 months depending on the effort and attention you give. Your compost is ready when the material is a dark brown colour and has a fresh, earthy smell.

What materials can be composted?
Green Materials: Vegetables & fruits, fresh grass clippings, coffee grounds/tea bags, green plant trimmings, weeds that have not gone to seed

Brown Materials: Dry brown leaves & plants, dry brown grass clippings corn stalks, shredded newspapers

What not to put in your compost!: Anything that attracts pests meat, bones, greasy foods and oils, grain products, dog and cat feces, cooked food scraps, grass clippings or weeds treated with pesticides.

You can also visit the Environmental Education Centre of the Central Okanagan (EECO) on Springfield Road for more information and to take a self-guided tour of the Composting Education Garden. For directions or other current programs and displays at the EECO, call (250) 469-6140.

My Garden 2008 - Trials and tribulations

Well I tried my first full garden in my new home. It was a lot of work getting this all set up. I had to rip up the turf and sift off the soil. Dig up the underground sprinklers and re-arrange them for proper irrigation. I them had to wheelbarrow 127 loads of soil from the front to the back. Then make the hills and put the landscaping ties around the garden to keep the raised bed in place. Whew...then plant.

Garden Till, Hilled, and Filled.

When I planted I learned a big lesson...wait till May! I planted a bit early because I am impatient. Big Mistake. I was lying in bed and heard the sprinklers come on and thought aaaahhhh summer. When I opened my eyes after they turned off I looked out the window and it looked pretty bright....and white? Glasses on and yes...it was snow. Long and short half the garden died. If the sprinklers had not come on I think a lot more would have lived but the water made ice and you know what that means to plants...death. HAHAHA...well live and learn.

As for seeds...which was the way I started things...I found most things aren't worth doing seeds. Seeds work will with: peas, beans, carrots, dill, and radishes. Potatoes and onions are ok too but they are more like bulbs then seeds. Cucumbers and zucchinis may be ok too but definitely do not waste your time with growing tomatoes from seeds.

Garden in Bloom

I tried a bit of everything in the garden to see what works well and what to plant next year. In my garden you will find:

1. 4 kinds of tomatoes (plumb, cherry, lemon boy, and beefsteak)
2. Zucchini
3. Squash (butternut & acorn)
4. Cucumber (lemon, long English, Japanese)
5. Beans (yellow & Green bush beans)
6. Broccoli
7. Brussels sprouts
8. Celery
9. Radishes
10. Mellon (can't remember what kind...ha-ha)
11. Onions (red, white, & Green)
12. Cauliflower
13. Egg Plant
14. Red Potatoes
15. Carrots (purple & orange)
16. Snap peas
17. lettuce (romaine & Butter)

I also grew a whole whack of herbs:

1. Basil (sweet, purple, & Thai)
2. Mint (spearmint & chocolate)
3. Chives (garlic)
4. Cilantro
5. Parsley
6. Dill
7. Oregano
8. Rosemary
9. Bay

Wall-O-Herbs (a bit later after some were harvested)

All in all it was a pretty good season so far. I have more tomatoes and zucchinis then I can handle. Potatoes, carrots, broccoli, were a great success.

Veggies Ready to Eat

The Brussels sprouts were FULL of aphids and had to be tossed...what a waste. The lettuce was destroyed by the birds...wont be doing them next year.