Compost Information

Below is information for community gardens located in Ramsey County and City of Minneapolis. Please check with your city and county to see if they make compost available to community gardens for free or at a discounted rate.

Residents of Ramsey County can pick up compost at any of their compost sites for free. Delivery is free to community gardens in Ramsey County during the month of April, but it is based on available supply of compost and delivery trucks. Compost sites typically run out in the spring, so we strongly recommend that your garden make a request as early as possible with Pete Miller, the Ramsey County Compost King, if you would like compost delivered. Click for online maps & more information.

Please provide the following info to Pete.Miller@CO.RAMSEY.MN.US, 651-266-1151

o amount desired (choose between 6 - 12 cubic yards)

o the name of the comm garden and a map or detailed description of where to drop the compost at the site

o the date or week that you'd like it delivered ( timing depends on public works availability for hauling)

If you are able to email a map etc. that works, otherwise it can be faxed to my attention at 651-266-1177. It helps to have an 'x' or a description so the county public works driver knows exactly where to drop the compost. You may submit the request anytime and I will coordinate the drop w/ public works this spring.


Compost Information for Minneapolis Community Gardens (only)

Compost is being provided through the Solid Waste and Recycling Community Garden Compost Program of the City of Minneapolis. Below is a description of what's available and who is eligible. Fill out the online registration below to sign up for compost delivery for your community garden. If you have any questions, please call Kelsey or email her at kelsey.gardeningmatters@gmail.com

Eligibility
All Community Gardens that are registered with Gardening Matters and are located within the City of Minneapolis limits are eligible to receive compost. Community Gardens that have not received complimentary compost through the Solid Waste and Recycling program in the past will be given first priority.

Availability
Compost is available April 12th, 2010 through August 20th, 2010. Each garden is allowed between 5 – 8 cubic yards of complimentary compost, while supplies last. After the Minneapolis contract supply of complimentary compost is committed, additional compost will be available from at a rate of $3/per cubic yard, delivered.

Complimentary Compost
A supply of 300 cubic yards of complimentary compost is available each year. Complimentary Compost will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of Community Gardens that have not received Complimentary Compost in the past, taking first priority for the season in which the request was submitted.

For Fee Compost
After the Minneapolis contract supply of complimentary compost is committed, additional compost will be available from at a rate of $3/per cubic yard, delivered. Payment for ‘For Fee’ compost must be received prior to delivery. For Fee compost delivery work orders must be signed for at the time of delivery.

There is no limit to the amount of For Fee Compost. Payments must be made by cash or check only. Checks are made to the City of Minneapolis, Finance Department. Payments may be mailed or hand delivered to our Downtown office, and a receipt of payment will be provided as requested.

Mailing Address (Downtown Office):
City of Minneapolis
Solid Waste and Recycling Division
309 Second Avenue South, Room 210
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2281

Request & Delivery Process
Requests for compost will be submitted to the City of Minneapolis, Division of Solid Waste and Recycling at three times during the year. To allow time for data entry and delivery arrangements, requests must be submitted by the deadline in order for the delivery to be made during that period.

Compost delivery requests must be submitted through Gardening Matters. Gardening Matters will submit requests for compost in a single batch to Solid Waste and Recycling on or shortly after the due date for that season.
Early Spring Delivery
Deadline for Requests: March 19
Delivery will occur between: April 12 - May 14

Spring Delivery
Deadline for Requests: May 7
Delivery will occur between: May 17 - June 18

Summer Delivery
Deadline for Requests: June 11
Delivery will occur between: June 21 - August 20

Deliveries will not be made during the following weeks:
o May 31st, 2010 through June 4th, 2010 (Memorial Day)
o July 5th, 2010 through July 9th, 2010 (Independence Day)


Delivery of Compost -- THINGS TO KNOW

o Each garden will be allowed up to three deliveries of compost, per year.

o Community gardens must have a clearly marked area designated for compost delivery.

o Community gardens should be prepared to accept compost deliveries outside of their requested delivery time.

o Each Community Garden contact will be notified after the delivery request has been received and the delivery has been scheduled.

o If there is a conflict with the date or time selected for delivery, the contact person for the Community Garden will be notified and asked to reschedule.

o Deliveries of For Fee Compost must be signed for at the time of delivery



TO REQUEST COMPOST, make sure your garden has filled out a Garden Survey and sent to Gardening Matters, then fill out request form below. Happy Gardening!!