The composting and burning site

North east corner of TGAA

The idea of the composting site is to help members manage the waste material from their plots whilst reducing the need for unsociable bonfires.

In 2008 when the communal bonfire was started, all the material was burned. This made large amounts of smoke and small amounts of potash-rich ash. Now about 95% of the waste is composted in very large heaps in the bays of the composter. The process generates enough heat to destroy weeds and their seeds quite quickly, reducing green material to compost which will be available to allotment holders to improve soil texture and add nutrients.

The occasional bonfire will be needed to dispose of woody material and the resultant wood ash added to help the composting process aided by Garrotta to introduce nitrogen to speed the process further. Organic nitrogen can be added in other ways so feel free to contribute to accelerating decomposition if you wish to.

Leaving stuff at the site:

• All green material into the current heap.
• All woody material onto the fire platform.
• Cabbage stalks onto the inclined steel rack to dry before burning.

Please NO potato or tomato waste as these spread BLIGHT. Put these on the BONFIRE.

NO building rubbish, plastic, metal or glass, all of which should be put in the skips provided in the spring and autumn by the meadow gate. If in doubt phone 514704.

The site is now reasonably tidy. Please help to keep it in order.
John Ashby Plots 91 and 62 west.

The composter was built very economically by John Porter and John Ashby.