Composter

The composter is located next to the main entrance to the Lawrence Community Garden. As you’ll see, our composter has two compartments, with separate doors. Add composting materials to the side which is not marked. After this compartment is full…

composter.JPG

The composter is located next to the main entrance to the Lawrence Community Garden. As you’ll see, our composter has two compartments, with separate doors. Add composting materials to the side which is not marked. After this compartment is full and “cooking,” we will switch sides. The compost in the full compartment should then take about a month to finish. Finished compost will be placed in a pile near the composter for use on a first-come, first-serve basis by any Lawrence gardener or resident. For suggestions on using compost, see Gardening Tips.

New in 2009! We purchased a second composter with funds from the High Meadows Foundation (Princeton Office of Sustainability). The new composter is located next to the old one, and the same guidelines apply to it. All residents (not just gardeners) are welcome ot use the composters!

Ideally, the compost will be composed of a balance of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. After you add compostables, turn the handle several times to completely rotate the bin. The compost should be rotated approximately once a day.

DO COMPOST DO NOT COMPOST
Nitrogen-rich:

  • Fruit and vegetable trimmings
  • Overripe fruits and vegetables
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags
  • Citrus rinds
  • Rinsed, crushed eggshells
  • Grass clippings
  • Dead flowers
  • Small plant trimmings
  • Small weeds (large stalks compost too slowly)

Carbon-rich:

  • Dead leaves
  • Used paper towels
  • Shredded newspaper