Be loyal to the soil!

The priority of the composting program is maintaining resources in the garden. We can recycle plant material on site in order to save time, effort, fuel, and to maintain our soil.

There are two compost stations at Picardo, each having a different objective.

Southeast Compost

Located next the Children’s Garden, the South station uses hot compost methods like biochar to break down garden debris.

To join a work party or learn more, contact Ava Clennon at phoenixqueen35@gmail.com and Ann Anagnost at anagnost@uw.edu

Northwest Compost

These bins are located on the shadier, northwest corner of the garden near 25th Ave NE, and employ cold composting techniques. Intake bins are open. Please chop and sort your garden debris into the appropriate bins so it breaks down quicker and is easier to turn.

To help out and learn more about cold composting methods, please contact Alex Soleil DeLong at adelantesoleil@gmail.com and Lacia Bailey at LLBspot@gmail.com.

DIY Composting

Save yourself a trip to the compost bins and feed nutrients back into your soil! The best (and easiest) way to compost is in your own plot.

Some simple ways to do this are:

• cut up garden debris into small pieces and reuse it as mulch

• put debris in a black plastic bag and cook it in the hot summer sun

• cover piles with burlap and let it break down over time

• bury bigger stalks in the soil and let the worms and microbes do their work