Composting

Compost is decomposed organic matter which should be added to gardens annually to improve the soil. There are two composting areas at the far end of the Garden, with two compost bins in each area. Each bin is separated by a small aisle. A yellow flag with a smiley face designates the current bin that is accepting new material.

Please only deposit organic matter that can be composted:

  • Plants and weeds that have not gone to seed
  • Root balls that have had the soil shaken loose

Items that should not be composted include:

  • Diseased plants
  • Plastic plant tags, plastic containers, plastic bags or other inorganic material
  • Fruit, such as tomatoes, peppers, melons, etc. They will attract rodents and can reseed.

Anything that cannot be composted should be placed in the garbage dumpster in the parking lot. 

Many gardeners save kitchen scraps and start a compost bin at home, which reduces food waste. Waste like meat, egg shells, etc. should not be composted since they will attract rodents. Email any additional questions on composting to a Master Gardener at MadisonNJCommunityGarden@gmail.com. 

Further Information

"Composting: the organic natural way" by Dale Kitto

"The Complete Idiots Guide to Composting" by Chris McLaughlin

"Basic Composting" by Eric Ebeling

"Compost This Book" by Chris Thomas

"The Rodale Book of Composting" by Jerry Minnick

"Let It Rot" by Stu Campbell