COMPOST COMPETITION 2019

Our Annual Homemade Compost Competition took place as part of our May Meeting.Those present  judged there choice of winner by placing a coin in a pot by the entry. Judgement was based on the look, smell and feel of the compost. The entry with the most coins was the winner.
Below is our Champ for 2019 Alan with his winning entry.
Our Speaker at the Meeting, Rami Siam, was delighted to see what we were doing, and highly recommended the Berkeley Compost Method. If you want to know more about that method see below.

ALAN WITH HIS PRIZE WINNING ENTRY

Berkeley Composting Method

Our annual compost competition was held at our May Meeting. Our speaker, Rami Siam, was very enthusiastic to see we were staging such an event, and said he was very keen on the Berkeley Composting Method, as it produced very good results. For those who maybe interested here is some detail as to how to go about it. With thanks to Lloyd Richards for the information from his blog.

The Berkeley Composting Method, sometimes called rapid composting, is possibly one of the most efficient ways of composting material quickly, and without much loss in organic matter.

1. The step to any great compost is to collect your materials.  The Berkeley composting method outlines two main ingredients: brown, carbon rich organic matter, and green, nitrogen rich organic matter.  The ideal ratio is about 30:1 Carbon to Nitrogen but since every material has a different ratio inside them what I find easiest is to have twice as much brown in colour material to green.
2. Once materials are collected its time to build the pile.  Whats been used on many an occasion is a section of wire fencing, anything over 3.5m by 1m tall will give you the needed volume of 1m³.  Pick a location with enough space to take off the wire and rebuilt it slightly to the side for turning.
3. With the fencing in place begin by giving the bottom of the area a good soak with water.  This will ensure that the moisture in the pile doesn't get sucked up by the ground and eliminates watering as you turn.
4. Begin layering the material in the circle, watering every couple layers to make sure everything is wet, but no more then say a damp sponge (this is called the Squeeze Test).  What I like to do is layer two different brown materials, one green layer, and then water til everything is damp.
5. When the pile is complete you can cover the pile to reduce water evaporation or encase of heavy rains, but if you live in the UK then its not necessary.  The day you make the compost counts as Day 1.
6. Three days later, on Day 4, you will do the first turn.  Take off the wire fencing, rebuilt it next to  it and then turn the compost into the new area.  Unless the compost has dried out there wont be any need to water it again, but if it is dry then add just enough water to get it damp again. You should also notice that the pile is steaming slightly at this point.
7. Now you repeat this every second day, giving the compost one day of rest between turns.  So turn it on Day 6, Day 8, Day 10, Day 12, Day 14, Day 16 and Day 18.
8. On the 18th day the compost should be dark in colour and hot to the touch.  There shouldn't be any intact organic matter left and it should have a sweet earthy smell.  At this point you can continue to turn if its still not one, adding water if needed, or you can give it a few days rest to bring down the temperature before turning it out onto the garden.

(optional) If you are producing organic matter during this 18 day process then you can layer them into the middle of compost each turn however you might then need to add a few extra turns to make sure they're broken down completely before use on the garden.

Rami Siam and the M25

At our Monthly Meeting on 1 May our speaker was Rami Siam, who is in charge of the "green" areas of the M25.

Here we have a someone who is a passionate advocate for what he does and indeed makes a difference to the verges and surrounding areas of the motorway.
We really see so little of what he does as we rush past in our cars, except perhaps for the the litter on the slip road as you turn off at Godstone. The latter is a major problem throughout the length of the M25, and no one really understands why so many just throw their rubbish out of vehicles rather than take it home. It costs hundreds of thousands of pounds to clear.
Included in those "green" areas are a number of woodlands requiring care and attention. Trees happen to be one of Rami's specialisations, so they get well looked after, especially if diseases get into any of them.
An unusual and fascinating topic.

Gardening for Bees

David chats with members after his talk

Despite being advertised as a duet it turned out to be a solo performance by David Rutland. He was our speaker on Wednesday 3 April, on the topic of "Gardening for Bees". He described the three main types of be we find in the garden (Solitary, Bumble and Honey), how each lives and what they eat.
It came as a surprise to learn that gardeners are recommended to concentrate on providing the right planting in winter and spring for Honey Bees, as they are about at all times of the year.
Even more of a surprise was to learn that Honey Bees thrive on dandelions, and are very partial to the flower of ivy. So, it seems dandelions do, after all, have a benefit.
Many of those present at the talk will, no doubt, be more sensitive to the needs of all types of bees in the future.

Daffodil Competition 2019

What a wonderful effort. We were blessed with a magnificent display of St Kervene daffodils, so many, that two tables were required.
A lot of care and attention by exhibitors to make sure the entries were at their best for the occasion.
The winners were decided by those present by placing a coin in the pot by their favored entry. The entry with the the most coins were declared the winners.
Congratulations to Wendy, Janet and Julie.

Despite the plethora of daffodils the Monthly competition still enjoyed a colorful display.
Just look at the variety! 
The winning entry is the one centre right next to the leaks. Well done Chris.

WILL IT LAST?

At our Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 3 April we shall have our annual daffodil competition.
At the AGM in December last year those present were give the opportunity to obtain bulbs of Saint Keverne variety to grow for display at the April Meeting. A tricky business to get the flowering just right for the day.
The photo shows how seven days before the display is due. Will it keep in flower until then?
It is always interesting to see how others get on, and we look forward to a seasonal sea of yellow.

No bull at the Bull!

Two of the Committee at the meeting

With the reopening of the Bull in Limpsfield ,following extensive refurbishment, the LODHS Committee decided to revive an old tradition for its next meeting.
Going back many years, the Committee meetings were always held at the Bull, and now it has areas for use by the local community it was too good an opportunity to resist.
So on Wednesday 20 March that is just what happened. We were located in a lounge just off the main bar area, which was complete with easy chairs, settees and "atmospheric" lighting.
It all made for a convivial meeting, with access to refreshments adjacent.
The verdict? It was all a bit too comfortable and pleasant but the background hubbub made hearing a little problematic, for some of the ancient committee members.
So, the Chairman may not wish to use the venue for future meetings. However, it was good while it lasted........!

STEVE BRADLEY

At our Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 6 March, we were given a talk by Steve Bradley, a regular broadcaster on Radio Kent.
His topic was just the right one for this time of year, vegetable growing for small gardens. Lots of tips and ideas were forthcoming, and we hope some of those present will be inspired to get cracking. 
We see Steve having a discussion after his presentation.