Construction of Compost

On Saturday 26 February, 10 keen gardeners gathered to construct a Berkeley style compost heap under Dan and Aaron's guidance.

We had already discussed the various components we would use and we each brought along a particular ingredient and then collected more around the garden.

Berkeley composting requires multiple layers of various nutrients whilst ensuring a balance of carbon and nitrogen containing substances.

A sprinkle of mature compost supplied vital microorganisms to the base layer of straw.

And so the layering began!

2 bales of straw first, then every subsequent layer was watered in. Caleb did a wonderful job as waterer!

We also used molasses solution to give the microbes a good head start.

There was something rather fishy about Norm's mystery ingredient, but he seemed very happy once it was in the heap.

The heap gradually became taller with its alternating layers and Leanne realised what an important job she had, as she recorded everything used on the whiteboard.

Finally all layers were almost complete, just another layer of comfrey, chicken manure and compost before a final layer of straw and one of our famous round zucchini's as the cherry on top.

Thanks team,

Gabriella, Deb, Norm, Kathy, Doreen, Joe, Dianne, Leanne, Caleb, Maria, Dan and Aaron.

It was a great day!