The Ojai Garden

Over 15 people came to the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden Saturday to learn how to compost. Master Gardener Jessica Craven taught the group everything they needed to know to compost successfully at home. Jessica covered all the basics of composting, and shared many tips with the group. Instead of purchasing a countertop container with a filter to store her kitchen scraps, Jessica keeps her scraps in a container in her freezer until she is ready to bring them out to the compost bin. Freezing the scraps also makes them break down faster once they are in the compost pile. Jessica also discussed compost tea and composting with redworms. During the hands-on portion of the workshop, volunteers from the group took the compost that was made at Jessica's May workshop from the pallet bin… sifted it into a wheelbarrow… and then paused to see what finished compost looks like and smells like.
Then the group set to work building a new compost pile. They layered equal parts of green and brown material into the bin… , added water, and then mixed it all up. Participants went home with all their questions answered, and a compost wheel to help guide them as they make compost at home. Photos by Les Dublin.