Mayor Kristy McBain picking up a load of compost from the Merimbula organics processing facility for her garden. Photo: Supplied.
Bega Valley Shire Council’s FOGO compost cooks are tweaking their recipe following feedback from home gardeners. The change means compost might not be available over spring while the new procedures are bedded down.
Council’s organics team has introduced a new curing period before releasing the popular compost for sale after reports that fluctuating pH levels were creating problems for local green thumbs.
Waste Management Coordinator, Joley Vidau, says the decision was made to not release new batches of compost after supplies ran out mid-year to allow for the new curing time.
“After investigating further, we have traced the problem to fluctuating pH levels. We were trying to meet the large demand for quality FOGO compost and so let a few ‘young’ batches out to the public,” Ms Vidau says.
“All the compost we sell meets the necessary testing requirements, but recent ‘young’ batches of compost have put gardens under stress.
“We realise the community will be disappointed not to be able to access FOGO compost for their spring gardening programs, since it usually sells out quickly once it hits the market.
“People are waiting anxiously for more compost to be available and we are sorry for the delay, but your gardens and all the public reserves and parks where we use the compost will be even better off if we take the time now to get this right.
“We are so proud of our FOGO compost and we want to make sure that in the long-term we are supplying the highest possible quality product to our community,” Ms Vidau says.
It’s hoped FOGO compost will be on sale again for the start of summer.
Council will also be providing extra information to help people apply their compost more effectively, questions are also welcome via the Bega Valley Waste and Recycling Facebook page. Gardening workshops are also being planned in the future to help people get the most from the FOGO compost.
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