north shore news ‘4 FIOME & GARDEN THROUGHOUT spring and summer your garden clip- pings, hedge trimmings and fruit and vegetable scraps have gone into your compost bin. You may have even turned it occa- sionally to speed up the process. With autumn upon us, what now? Chances are vou prabably have enough finished compost to “har- vest” and use in your garden. Todd Major, manager of Park and Tilford Gardens in North Vancouver, says now is the time to reap the rewards of the hot summer tempera- tures by emptying your compost bin. Save the larger, uncomposted materi- al for the next batch and dig the remaining rich humus into your gar- den, conditioning the soil for next year’s plantings. Other fall tune-up idcas include checking for and repairing cracks and holes in-your composter to help keep rodents away.’ ": Ensuring proper composting con- ditions — not too wet, not too dry — will keep the decomposition process going as the temperature drops. To combat the meisture generated by cooler fall evenings, Major recom- mends aerating your compost by pok- ing holes through it with a sturdy rod or broomstick. People that have problems with a large number of. fruit flies in theig - compost bins usually do not ade- quately cover the food waste. North Shore Recycling’s compost education committce recommends adding more soil or turf on the food waste to com- bat a fruit hy problen. Meanwhile, North Yancouver resi- dents Anita and Roy Siedold spend the fali season stockpiling leaves, which provide a much-needed carbon source for composters that fili up with nitregen-rich kitchen scraps and grass clippings through the summer. “We use our composter mainly for vegetable and fruit scraps, so we look forward to collecting the fall feaves. That way we can add the dried leaves to the bin throughout the year for a better balance of materials,” said Anita Siebold. The mild winters on the West Coast allow for composting all year. And with a little effort, a constant supply of nich fer- tilizer is yours for free. Anyone interesting in learning how to use 2 compost bin may contact the North Shore Recycling Program at 984-9730 or call the Compost Hotline at 736-2250 for answers to all STARTING SEPT. 22 IN WHITE ROCK VANCOUVER CHANNEL 30 NORTH & WES1 ANITA Siebold stockpiles leaves in the fall for 4 much-needed carbon source for her composter. Composters in the summer tend to get filled with a lot of nitrogen-rich kitchen scraps and grass clippings. your composting questions. The following resources are also available: Here’s the Dirt! A Guide to Home Composting, published by the GVRD; The Compost Resource Page (www.oldgrowth.org/compost),; the North Shore Recycling Program homepage (www.district.nor-van.be.ca/iecycle/); and City Farmer (www.cityfarmer.ca). Submitted by the North Shore Recyciiug Program’s Compost Education Committee. Let our team of experienced intuitive designers help you... cultivate harmony in your inner _ world & create beauty in your home ... your sanctuary. Cali 985-6112 for your in-home consultation or visit our showroom at 1099 MARINE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOUVER Open 70-5 Mon-Thurs & Sat (closed Fri & Sun) (7 PAINTING * accessories \NWS #663 West 3rd St, N. Van y Free | Standing | Comfort. | “Way to go Darrell... another Valor!” a: ° FREE estimates h * Showraom hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3pm Gas Fireplaces homeworks’ Warnung homes since 1800 FINANCING PLAN NOVA HEATING & Sheet Metal Ltd. Serving the North Shore for over &2 years. 988-3922 uf Gigantic Birthday Sale ry % feast off Entire Stock (10% off bulbs & calendars) one week onl Sat., Sept. 20- Sun., Sept. 28 Atta the neti eAvant Gardener o A UNIQUE GARDENING SHOP 1460 MARINE DRIVE WEST VANCOUVER, 8.C. & vit 187 TEL: (604) 926-8784 ff M2235 WEST STH AVENUE H VANCOUVER, B.C VéK ING TEL: (604) 736-0404 QHSSaSsscaserer, a s Musquana nigerian Arrow Equipment Ltd. 1433 Pemberton Avenue North Vancouver, B.C. 987-1215 x,