Learn How to Compost – Barton St. P-Patch

Have you ever wanted to compost but weren't sure where to start? Do you already have a compost pile but don’t know why it isn’t heating up?

The elusive tri-bin compost system...

Wonder no more. You can find the answers to these questions and more at a Compost 101 Workshop near you (see the end of this post for details).

Last Sunday, Lettuce Link and Seattle Tilth’s Master Composter/Soil Builder (MC/SB) program teamed up to teach the first of four Compost 101 workshops this spring. The forecast was typical of springtime in Seattle: rain. Ominous gray clouds and wind corralled the Barton St.P-Patch as people hurriedly set up canopies and tarps in anticipation of the weather. But, as luck would have it, the sun appeared just as participants arrived.

In the first half hour, Master Composter/Soil Builders Claire and Amanda gave an overview of soil science and composting.

Then, it was time to get our hands dirty.

Some people chopped up leaves and plant trimmings, while others layered straw, chicken manure and coffee grounds on an open tarp.

 

The rest of us churned the growing heap with pitchforks, and soon enough, with a sprinkle of water, we had a hot compost pile on our hands! After moving the pile into a compost bin a tucking it in with a blanket of burlap sacks and a tarp, folks went home feeling accomplished and with smiles on their faces.

Want to attend an upcoming workshop? Contact us. Please note that these workshops are tailored to the specific needs and setup of each site and have a cap of 15 participants.

Compost 101 Workshop Schedule:

Saturday, April 14^th, 10am-12pm
Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St, East Room 

Sunday, April 22^nd, 11am-1pm
Mad-P P-Patch, 3000 E Mercer St
This workshop will be held outside. Please dress for the weather. 

Sunday, April 29^th, 11am-1pm
Judkins P-Patch, 24th Avenue S. and S. Norman Street
This workshop will be held outside. Please dress for the weather.