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Frugal Gardening

How/where to find free/cheap compost in SE PA?

19 years ago

Just listened to a public radio organic garden show (Mike McGrath's Gardens Alive). They did some research and found that the best overall much to munimize weeds and nurish the soil is compost. No supprise I suppose. Since I do not have a compost pile now and need to mulch & fertalize, any ideas on where to find compost for free or cheap? I am in West Chester PA which is in South Eastern PA, Chester County.

Thanks

JD

Comments (7)

jjdbike
Original Author
19 years ago
I know I should have been composting all along & indeed I'll start now. This however dosent help me now. Can you buy good seasoned, well mixed compost? Does manure or spent mushroom soil qualify as compost? Would those work for general gardening purposes to retard week growth and fertalize soil?
Please forgive my ignorance on this subject. I will obviously need to educate my self on this subject but for now my perenials ar in need!
Thanks
JD
Kathy46
19 years ago
JD,

I'm not far from you and never really looked into free compost. However you can start with tree companies who want to get rid of there ground up trees.

Manure is great but do not add to plants unless it has aged for awhile or you may burn your plants.

Start saving coffee grounds at home and work. Check with a starbucks near you about collecting coffee grounds.

All this along with grass clippings go into my compost pile. In addition leftover veggies and fruits from the house.
I can't advise you on buying compost but highly recommend you start your own.
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Ina Plassa_travis
19 years ago
call your township building, and ask them if they have a compost dump.

I'd been 'stealing' compost by the recycling bin full from the next township over (they have a HUGE free compost pile behind the baseball fields) but I was out on my bike this week, and found that not only does MY township have one, too- it's divided into leaf compost and wood chips...

I am SOO hooked up!
breezyb
19 years ago
Look for any horse breeding or riding facilities in your area & ask if you can take manure from them. Horse manure makes the very best compost - hands down.
MLcom
19 years ago
jjdbike you are in the heart of horse country! Sure many a local barn is near you with lots and lots of free and aged and new manure. I have horses and a wonderful pile. Starting my new beds with the compost. Wonderful stuff. Mine was a hot pile and at 6 months is ready to go. Suggest double bagging and bring home less then 5 gal per bag, small easy and not to heavy. I have a truck and bring home bags in it for easy carrying to the garden. Turned the pile once a week and in a long row. When it reaches the end of the row it isready to go.

Rick Tack shop should benear you and if you can find the notice board will have stables in the area with stalls for rent. ie stables in the area, and with phone#s to call. You can even shop around for one that uses just straw for bedding or sawdust.

Also you may be able to get mushroom soil in your area. It is the most perfect thing to get your hands on. Just a few suggestions.

ML
jjdbike
Original Author
19 years ago
Great ideas all.
Thanks a bucnch!
breezyb
19 years ago
Another good way to transport manure if you have a truck is using those large plastic 2-handled garden/muck buckets. They hold a nice amount & are fairly easy to carry, even when full. You can get them anywhere - from WalMart & similar places - for anywhere from $6 up.

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