Image Credit: City of Penticton

PENTICTON - Green thumbs, mark the calendar: you can stock up on black gold during two weekends in June.

The City of Penticton is offering purchases of its bulk weight compost from the landfill at a discount – 50 per cent off – while quantities last.

“We have a large supply of compost material available, and hope gardeners take advantage of the discount as they build their garden beds or landscape their yards,” said Mayor Garry Litke. “Our goal has always been to offer a high-quality and environmentally friendly compost that is safe for the public, as well as offer it at an affordable price.”

Weekend sales will be held June 14, 15, 21 and 22. Residents can stop in at the Campbell Mountain Landfill on Spiller Road and pick up loads between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The bulk-weight compost costs are broken down into three categories:

• Purchasing five metric tonnes or more: The regular price for this category is $25 per metric tonne. The discount will see this price reduced to $12.50 per metric tonne.

• Purchasing less than five metric tonnes: The regular price for this category is $40 per metric tonne. The discount will see this price reduced to $20 per metric tonne.

• Garbage bag:  The regular price for this is $5 per bag.  The discount will see this price reduced to $2.50 per bag.

City of Penticton compost is an environmentally friendly, effective and affordable compost product. It is ideal for top dressing, landscaping and as an addition to flower and vegetable gardens beds. Approved by the Ministry of Environment for safe reuse as a high-grade product and complies with the federal Fertilizer Act, Penticton’s city compost helps gardeners prevent drought and erosion.

Those who cannot make the weekend sales can always visit the landfill between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For more information about City of Penticton compost, call 250-490-2500.

How to use compost

City of Penticton compost contains a minimum of 30 percent organic matter and a maximum of 55 percent moisture. This makes it a valuable addition to many areas of your garden:

• Flower beds: Mix 2.5 to five centimetres of City of Penticton compost with the top 10 to 15 cm of existing soil. Plant flowers or seeds and then water.

• Tubers and bulbs: Prepare a mixture of one part city compost and three parts of existing soil. Surround bulb with a good handful of mixture and plant at recommended depth.

• Roses: Prepare ground as you would flower beds. Plant the rosebush in a mixture of one part city compost and three parts soil.

• Vegetable garden: For normal soil, mix 2.5 cm of city compost with the top 10 cm of existing soil. Plant seeds as recommended. For heavy clay soil, mix five cm of city compost with the top 15 cm of existing soil. Plant seeds as recommended.

• Berries: Mix 2.5 to five cm of city compost with the top 10 to 15 cm of existing soil. Plant as recommended.

• Trees and shrubs: Dig a hole approximately two times the size of the root ball or bare root. Plant in mixture of one part city compost and three parts soil. Compact firmly.

• Evergreens: Dig a hole allowing 30 centimetres around the root ball or system. Plant in a mixture of one part city compost and three parts soil. Compact firmly and water.

• New lawns: For seeding, cover existing ground with 2.5 to five cm of city compost. Rototill into a depth of 15 cm. Rake smooth and broadcast seeds as recommended. Use a roller to compact and then keep moist. When sodding, cover existing ground with 2.5 to five cm of city compost. Rototill into a depth of 15 cm. Rake smooth. Install new sod and keep moist.

• Established lawns: Spread a thin layer (three to six millimetres) of city compost with a rake in late fall or early spring. Water after application. For optimum results, aerate before applying.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014