DIY rain barrel kits now in stock!
July 26, 2014
Continue reading “DIY rain barrel kits now in stock!”
Author: compost
Buy your Compost Club Membership online!
July 10, 2014
Continue reading “Buy your Compost Club Membership online!”
Green cone sale extended until Oct 31st
June 25, 2014
In exciting composting news, we are offering the green cone food digesters for a special sale price of $130 (down from $165) until September 30th October 31st! So many folks are excited about the opportunity to get a bargain digester that we decided to extend the sale.
Curious about the green cone food digester? Here’s the scoop! The Green Cone digester accepts all food scraps, including items that typically cannot go into a backyard compost bin :
- dairy
- cooked food
- bread
- bones & meat
The digester must be dug 2 feet into well draining soil in a sunny area of the garden.
Simply add all your food scraps and it will ‘digest’ them – turning your waste into a nutrient rich leachate that is absorbed by the surrounding soil.
It can also be used to compost pet waste (must be placed at least 10 feet away from a food garden or fruit producing tree in this case).
No skill or effort required, simply fill and forget:
- Easy assembly – requires only a screwdriver and a shovel
- Requires very little maintenance after installation
- Handles up to 11lbs of food scraps per week
- Pest resistant
- Perfect for group dwellings, schools and households with limited green space
For more information on the green cone food digester, check out our Fact Sheet!
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Solstice Beauty
June 23, 2014
June is the month where things settle into their boots (or roots, if you will) and start to show off everything they’ve got. I recently took a walk around the garden on the Summer Solstice to capture some of the sweet moments that are currently happening. Think nasturtiums, calendula, borage, phacelia, arugula flowers, Johnny Jump Ups and a king-size mullein! (Click on the photos for larger, more glorious images)
Many of the flowers pictured here are deliberately planted as companions for the vegetables nearby. Calendual and nasturtiums act as pest traps, attracting aphids away from squash and brassicas. Borage and phacelia attract pollinators (like the bumble bee doing the splits above!) to squash, tomato, and cucumber flowers. And Johnny Jump Ups and roses bring joy to pretty much anyone who stops to spy or sniff them. Welcome to summer everyone!
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Compost Ed goes to Mayne Island
June 21, 2014
This past week the Compost Ed Centre took a little day trip to Mayne Island to teach the folks there all about some advanced composting methods. We gathered in the old Ag Hall and had a wondrous two hours of composting queries, information exchange, homemade lemon cake and strong cups of tea! Vicki of the Mayne Island Recycling Society showed me the Mayne Island community garden, and I thought we could all take a page or two from their book. Scroll on down to learn more (click on the pictures to enlarge)!
A huge thanks to Mayne Island for hosting and inspiring us, we look forward to more trips around the southern Gulf Islands, spreading the compost word!
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June 11, 2014
We’ve recently planted a garden to provide food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects here at the Centre. The goal of this garden is to provide forage for these little helpers throughout the growing season. Plant varieties were selected based on flowering time (spring/summer/fall), colour, flower shape, and species they attract.
Scroll on down to check them out and don’t forget to drop by the Centre on June 14th for Pollination Education Day!
Bergamont (Monarda spp.) – Also called “Beebalm”, these plants flower late in the summer and on into fall. Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) has light purple flowers, whereas its ornamental cultivar (Monarda didyma) come in spectacular reds and pinks. The leaves of this plant are very fragrant and can be used as a tea.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) – Known for its calming effect on the nervous system, not only is this herb great as a tea, but its flowers also attract a host of beneficial insects. Flowers in the summer; ladybugs are attracted to it.
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – this native species is often seen in woodlands. It flowers earlier than many others and so is wonderful to have in a pollinator garden to extend the forage season. It attracts butterflies, bumblebees and humming birds.
Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) – We can’t get enough of this multi-functional plant at the Compost Education Centre! Comfrey is not only a powerful medicinal, its flowers make the bees go crazy! Flowers in the spring through to early summer.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Another medicinal that’s good for us and the good for bees! Any lavender will do, the fragrant purple flowers attract bees, hoverflies and butterflies.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) – This spotty-leaved, violet-flowered plant was chosen because of its early spring bloom time. Most flowers we are familiar with bloom in the summer, and beneficial insects need food before then. Lungwort flowers in early spring and provides food for bees.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) – We were lucky to have this gorgeous, useful flower volunteer in our pollinator garden! Sweet Cicely flowers are a perfect example of the “umbel” shape that is so critical for many beneficial insects. This shape provides a landing pad and easy access to lots of nectar inside each of the tiny individual flowers. Not only this, but Sweet Cicely’s anise-flavoured seeds and leaves can be used as an alternative sweetner, as a tea or just to snack on. Please make sure you have a positive ID for this plant if you come across something that looks similar in the wild, there are poisonous look alikes!
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) – Tansy’s flowers are also easy to land upon and their brilliant yellow is beautiful in the garden. Tansy flwoers in the summer and attracts lacewings.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Once again, we see the umbel flower shape here. Yarrow flowers in the summer and attracts ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic mini-wasps who will munch on damaging caterpillars. Yarrow leaves and flowers can also be used as a tea to ease menstrual cramps and ease digestion.
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FernFest is coming up on the summer solstice!
June 7, 2014
Attention Victoria, you are invited to Fernwood Square on Friday night and all day Saturday, June 20 & 21, to celebrate 19 years of FernFest and the summer solstice. The weekend is filled with an eclectic line-up of musical talent that you might not know but are guaranteed to love. FernFest always showcases the very best of Victoria’s vibrant local music scene. Did we mention the event is free and open to all ages?
FernFest is a unique neighbourhood music and arts festival that began in 1995. For almost 2 decades, with the help of local businesses and many volunteers, this family friendly event has been transforming the neighbourhood into a carnival of wonder and shared celebration.
On Saturday, wake up and catch the Pancake Breakfast cooked up by the great folks of the Fernwood Inn. Explore the treasures of over 40 artisans and vendors, drop in for a capoeira demo on the Field of Dreams, play and make art in the Kid’s Zone. Don’t miss the Kidical Mass Bike Parade, Fernwood Art Stroll, Fernwood Paint-off, Senior’s High Tea, painting the Bubble Man’s car, silent auction, and many more fun filled surprises. Fernwood Square will be rocking all day and night with live music conveniently located in front of the beer garden. As per usual, we’ve got delicious Phillips beer and this year we’ve added Lonetree Cider on tap. Benji Duke, of the Friday Quiz, will be there to guide us through 15 music acts including The New Groovement, Bučan Bučan, Kikeyambay and High Society.We are excited to announce that the FernFest Field of Dreams (the Vic High field) will be back for its second year! The Field is going to be all things fun. In addition to its own mini stage, we’ve got kid’s activities like balloon twisting, tie dye, a cardboard castle, face-painting, and more. Keep an eye out for clowns, magicians, storytellers, and hula hoopers! Don’t worry parents; we balance this circus extravaganza with a by-donation massage tent from ViVi Therapy.
FernFest always leaves you with a sense of wonder and celebration. The goal is to bring people together in the spirit of fun and shared experiences. Thank you to all the local businesses, silent auction donors, musicians, artists, and volunteers who come together every year to make this event possible! There is no better place to be on the longest days of the year.For a the full program of events, check out http://fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/
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Pollination Education Day on June 14th!
May 28, 2014
Without pollinators, humans and wildlife wouldn’t have much to eat! Bees, butterflies, wasps and even bats, ants, birds and beetles pollinate over 90% of the planet’s flowering plants and over 75% of human food crops.
Join us on Saturday June 14th from 10am-2pm for a day of education about creating habitat for pollinators, and what to plant in your garden to attract these valuable animals and insects.
We will also be hosting two free workshops:
Mason Bees from 10:00am-11:00am
Natural Beekeeping from 1:00pm-2:00pm
No registration is necessary, just come by and enjoy learning from local experts!
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May 16, 2014
We are excited to announce that the Grow A Row program has started up once again!
Grow a Row is a community of gardeners, businesses, groups and individuals gathering together to help those in need.
The concept is simple:
Grow an extra row of food in your garden and bring it to one of the drop off locations around town where it will be distributed to food lunch programs, community kitchens, food banks and Our Place Society.
Support food justice and security in your own backyard!
Starting Saturday May 17th, the Compost Education Centre will be accepting donations of excess garden produce from 10:00am-4:00pm. All produce collected at our Centre at 1216 North Park St will be promptly delivered to Our Place and added to the nourishing meals they provide to people in need in our community. Our Place serves over 1,200 meals a day, 5 days a week and your extra tomatoes, zucchini, kale or other veggies will help make them even more nutritious and tasty.
If you’d like to donate produce from your garden but live in a different part of town, please check out our list of drop-off locations to find the closest one to you:
Burnside Gorge
Burnside Gorge Community Association, 471 Cecelia Road
Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30-9am & 5-8:30pm
Produce donated to Burnside Gorge Community Association.
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Sooke
Sunriver Community Gardens
(at the notice chalkboard)
Wednesday: before 4:00pm
Produce donated to Sooke Food Bank.
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Victoria West
Vic West Community Centre, 521 Craigflower Road
Monday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Produce donated to S.A.F.F.E. Monday Night group dinners/ Burnside Gorge Community Association .
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We’re hiring! Site and Program Assistant
April 17, 2014
Job Posting
Site and Program Assistant
Compost Education Centre
The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District.
We are seeking an energetic and motivated person to join our team as the Site and Program Assistant. This is a part-time position based on a 30 hour work week (0.86 FTE).
Work Week: Wednesday to Saturday, 8:30am – 4:30pm with a half hour unpaid lunch break.
Wage: $13.00 per hour
Start Date: May 14
End Date: August 30
Closing Date for Applications: 4:00pm, Tuesday, April 29, 2013
Applicants who have been selected for an interview will be notified by Thursday, May 1st.
* Only participants eligible for Canada Summer Jobs will be considered.
Eligibility criteria:
– be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
– have been registered as full-time students in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
– be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and,
– be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.
Please submit your cover letter, resume and two references with the subject heading “Site and Program Assistant Application” by email to:
Alysha Punnett, Site Manager
E-mail: sitemgr@compost.bc.ca
Compost Education Centre
1216 North Park Street
Victoria, BC V8T 1C9
Phone calls and late or faxed resumés will not be accepted. We regret that only those applicants being considered will be contacted.
Job Description
The Site and Program Assistant reports to the Executive Director, the Site Manager, and the Education Coordinator. Responsibilities include working with the Site Manager to maintain the demonstration site, assisting the Education Coordinator with site tours and providing support for other CEC programs. The Site and Program Assistant will also work in the office responding to customer questions and needs.
Job Summary
Site Assistance (70%):
– Assist the Site Manager in the maintenance of the Demonstration Gardens including areas which highlight permaculture, native plants, organic vegetable gardening, rainwater catchment, and other techniques;
– Assist the Site Manager in the maintenance of the composting program including worm harvesting, compost sifting, and building worm bins;
– Assist Site Manager in organization and maintenance of site structures, including Strawbale building, composting toilet, micro-irrigation system, tool sheds, tools, storage areas, and greenhouse;
– Assist Site Manager in the coordination of Site Volunteers.
Program Assistance and General Tasks (30%):
– Assist with Site Tours for children and adults;
– Assist with other ongoing programs and priorities;
– Respond to hotline calls, emails and site visitors: Answer composting questions, sell composting supplies and promote the Centre’s services;
– Assist with other general tasks of the Centre (newsletter articles, outreach, special events, etc).
Qualifications
– Knowledge of composting practices and principles
– Knowledge or experience in organic gardening practices and principles an asset
– Ability to perform physical labour, must enjoy hands on physical work. Carpentry, construction or handyperson skills an asset
– Experience working with children and youth
– Flexibility, initiative, creativity and problem solving skills
– Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
– Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, ability to meet deadlines
– Experience working or volunteering in a non-profit environment is an asset
– Experience providing supervision and training for volunteers is an asset
– Experience with MS Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook
– Experience with Access an asset
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