And it’s ready to leave site with you. The dry ground last summer meant a shortage of grass mowings and other fresh greens to go into this first batch. Rainfall in September finally filled our tanks with runoff to add a late boost to the bays, giving us a slow-composted mix from woodchip and hedge trimmings.

This batch of compost would suit being used as a mulch on the surface of your prepared beds rather than dug in, to allow the soil life below time to incorporate it slowly. Apply now and use a good 2-inch layer to protect the soil from frost and suppress any early spring weeds. Don’t plant directly into it – leave a bit of space around the stems of plants.

Alternatively, have a go at sieving it for nutrient-rich ‘black gold’ – 

far superior to anything you’d buy in a bag!

Our compost is available to take away when the site is open (currently Saturday mornings) – please ask if you need any BATCOM bags to carry it in. It’s free, but pay as you feel donations are always appreciated 🙂

Save the date:

Sunday 7th June – BATCOM’s Summer Party!

Come down for a celebration of green-fingered folks, featuring a fundraising sale of our young plants, seedlings and garden goodies. Fun and games for big and little kids, and homemade baked and preserved food from our kitchens…

Gloucestershire Community 

Composting Network

*** All New!! ***

BATCOM is proud to be involved in the establishment of the GCCN and attended its inaugural meeting at the end of January. Stroudies are leading the way on this project – great to see faces from Good Small Gardens, Down to Earth, Common Soil, Growing Places, Bisley CCS and the FWAG Great Market Garden project at Cirencester RAU, along with enthusiatic District and Town Councillors. 

The GCCN is supported by Garden Organic and its Master Composters – trained volunteers who promote home and community composting in their local area, see poster below for details: