What, Exactly, Is Composting?

How Do I Get Started?

Materials that should / should not be in a compost pile

How Do I Maintain The Pile?

When Will My Compost Be Ready To Use?

How Do I Use The Finished Compost?

Where Can I Learn More?

Yard Waste Management Committee

How do I learn more about composting?

Hetty E. Francke, Master Gardener/Master Composter at Delaware’s Cooperative Extension Office, with the support of volunteer groups, has built four compost demonstration sites in Delaware. You can find out more about them via  the latest Composting class schedule, or for more information, contact: Hetty E. Francke, hettyw@udel.edu or 302-475-9157.

These demonstration sites illustrate six ways to practice environmentally friendly composting. Signs describe composting that is done by each of the six units. A brochure box holds additional information about composting.

The sites are located at:

• Bellevue State Park, Wilmington, New Castle County
• Behind the Candlelight Theater, Ardentown, New Castle County
• Killens Pond State Park, Felton, Kent County
• Trap Pond State Park, Laurel, Sussex County

Workshops, classes and demonstrations on composting are given throughout the year.

Compost bins suitable for backyard composting of yard waste are for sale at a reduced price of $10 each at the Newark cooperative extension field offices. Call the office at 302-831-2506, or stop by: 461 Wyoming Road in Newark. Wyoming Road is located off of route 72, north of where it meets Route 4. The extension field office is west on Wyoming Road, near the railroad tracks, and behind the day care complex. It's open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

A composting demonstration site in New Castle County