Deva Luna at Charles Street Gardens 10/2/10

Deva Luna presented information about sheet composting or layered composting at the Charles Street Garden in Sunnyvale, CA on 10/2/2010. More information about Deva can be found at http://www.earthcareland.com

The first part of the presentation was lecture and handling questions. The remainder was a demonstration of improving a gardening bed using kitchen waste, garden greens, newspaper, and compost.

Photos are available for download and use by participants. High quality prints are available by clicking on the "Buy" button over the image. If any images are published, a photo credit to George Hamma would be appreciated.

Photos (C) 2010 George Hamma

Arriving attendees received a handout for this sheet composting presentation.
Deva Luna presents the concept of layered composting.
Deva shows how to make a reudsable insect trap.
The attendees were very attentive.
This is the elevated garden plot (set up for physically limited gardeners) to be used for the demonstration. Garden greens and compost are ready for use.
At this end of the plot, kitchen waste and newspapers are ready for use.
Deva introduces the plot to be used. Weeds that could break through the layers of overcover are removed.
Remaining plants are stomped flat. At this point, high-nitrogen contributions could be added.
Kitchen waste is added and spread out.
Boots make the spreading out and stomping easier.
Crushed eggshells are distributed to add minerals.
Compost with worm eggs is distributed.
Worms go in at this time, too.
Newspapers are spread out, overlapped. Wetting down the bed starts with this layer and continues as additions are made.
Next come garden greens.
Garden greens are spread out and watered down.
This layer could be up to two feet thick, continuing to stomp down and spread out the contributions.
Watering down the layers is important.
To top things off, decomposed compost is added.
Watering down, spreading out.
Deva emphasizes that making everything look neat is desirable.
At this point, planting can start. A hole is made in the covering compost and good quality planting compost is placed in the hole.
A plant is selected for insertion.
The hole can extend down to the greens layer below, if needed.
Additional plants can be added.
Seeds (here, fava beans) can be planted as well.
Another example of seeds ready to be planted.
A general planting session began with participants adding more plants and seeds to the mix. Again, watering everything down is important.
The garden plot is prepared. Watering is needed for the new plants and seeds as well as for the compost layers.