Important Stuff

CONTENTS

1. Security Gate Locking/Unlocking Procedure 
2. Tool Cleaning
3. Compost DOs & DON'Ts

Security Gate Locking / Unlocking Procedure

It is VERY IMPORTANT that our Community Gardeners lock and unlock the security gate (located at the head of the drive to our garden) properly. If we don't properly secure this gate, we will lose permission to enter/exit the gate outside of regular security hours of 7:00 AM - 7 PM.

The "red security gate" has a black cable lock that is controlled by SCP Security. If you are entering or leaving the garden area during hours when this black cable is LOCKED, you may open it---IF YOU PROMISE TO RELOCK it when you leave. To open the lock, position the numbers on the lock to the proper configuration and simply pull the locking mechanism apart. Unwrap the cable from one gate and enter.

To RELOCK, close the gate, wrap the black cable around BOTH gates and insert one end of the cable locking mechanism into the other end...then....turn the numbers in several directions so that the numbers DO NOT line up in the "code" position.

To obtain the "secret code" number for operating this black cable lock, contact "MaterMan" or another of the community gardeners.

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Clean Garden Tools

Our mama taught us many valuable lessons, including:

• Wear clean underwear
• Respect your elders
• Eat your vegetables
• Clean up your own mess 

Regarding the "clean up your own mess" adage, gardeners are asked to please CLEAN ALL TOOLS you may use at the garden.

After shoveling, hoeing, raking, tiling, etc. there is the inevitable glob of dirt stuck to the implement of your labor. Before returning the tool(s) to the shed for storage, please take a few seconds or minutes and thoroughly clean the tool.

 For your convenience a container of cleaning instruments will be located inside the tool shed (near the door). Among these cleaning devices will be a supply of "Scrub Daddy" brushes (see image). These are clever, neat, effective scrubbing thingies that can be used dry or with water. Please help keep the tools (and tool shed) neat, clean, and tidy.

"Scrub Daddy" will be watching!!!

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Composting Information

MATERIALS THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE COMPOST PILE

Organic waste is the best darn stuff to compost and put in your garden, but there are a few things to know that make it "cook" faster and better.

#1. Small pieces.......cut into smaller pieces those melons, banana peels, etc.

#2. NO egg shells as they take years to break down.....even if you cut up and smash them

#3. NO meat and NO seeds.

Wood ashes

Fruit waste

Leaves (if possible use leaves that are mulched)

Peat Moss

Peanut shells

Pine needles

Sawdust

Clover

Coffee grounds (and filters if they are the brown ones)

Food waste (see above)

Garden waste (keep pieces small)

Grass clippings (make sure clippings are free of chemicals)

Manures (NOT pet waste)

Vegetable scraps

Vegetable stalks (keep pieces small)

MATERIALS TO AVOID IN THE COMPOST PILES

Seeds (including whole tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beans, peas, etc)
Weeds (place these in the trash receptacle)
Coal Ash

Diseased Plants

Meat, Bones Fish, Fats, Dairy, Egg shells

Pet droppings

DIRECTIONS FOR COMPOSTING

Food waste and other materials can be deposited at any time and mixed in to the BIG pile. Be certain to turn your "stuff" into the pile and mix it in well. When nearing the composted stage, the "Compost Engineer" will place signs on the bins and pile to indicate their readiness/usability.

Signs will read as follows:

OPEN = receiving waste materials

COOKING = not receiving and not ready for use

READY = help yourself to your fair share