Compost Projects

Melanie learned about the Berkeley Style of Compost in her Permaculture Class at Wren Song. The Students in the Class both learned about the Method and tried it out. Consequently, she was eager to try this on the Farm. Yesterday, she and Richard constructed 2 Compost Heaps.

Melanie used similar materials for each of the Piles. Each was a little different. She had piles of Grass Clippings, Leafy Greens, Straw, Straw and Chicken Manure, Extra Chicken Manure without Straw, Leaves (mostly Oak). With each of Pile, she used existing Compost from the Site that was not finished.

Melanie layered the Piles like a Lasagna. She needed 25 percent High Nitrogen, 40 percent Leafy Green, 30 percent Woody, which follows what Dr. Elaine Ingham recommended. She followed that as closely as she could but it was not exact. As she layered the elements, she made sure the Nitrogen and Green Layers were not too thick. Otherwise the Piles would go Anaerobic and stink. In the construction phase, she kept adding Water throughout. The intention was to have the whole thing the consistency of a Wet Sponge.

She built the Piles into a Cubic Yard, and then covered them with Plastic to keep the Rain out and Evaporation in. After 4 days, she will turn the Pile. Every other day after that, she needs to turn the pile again. After 18 days, the Compost Heap should be ready for the next Garden Project.

Melanie's disclaimer is that this is the 1st time she has tried this approach. We are all eager to see how it will work. This afternoon, we noted that the Compost Heap was very warm to touch. It's working.