Compost

Composting is an important part of life at Jardin Mile End. Our compost site is managed by Compost Committee and is available to all members.

Here's everything you need to know.

How to Compost This Season

Jardin Mile End has 4 composting windrows. The compost manager oversees the organic materials we deposit and regularly rotates the windrows.

Always deposit your compostable materials in the windrow labelled “Compost Actif”. Since the windrows are regularly rotated, their location may change. Always look for the “Active Compost” label before disposing of your materials, as shown in the photo, and then follow the instructions provided in the other photo.

Deposit your green waste here:

To compost your garden materials, you can:

  • Cut plants to about two inches in length before adding them to the windrow.
  • Add waste from your plot to the “Compost actif” windrow.
  • Alternate your plant waste with an equal amount of leaves. The leaves are stored in the large wooden bins located behind the compost windrows. If you don’t have any leaves, you can skip this step. If leaves are available, feel free to use them.
  • Take your tomato plants home: they do not compost well and should not be added to the windrows.
  • To add finished compost to your garden, use only the windrow labelled “Compost prêt.” This windrow contains mature compost that is ready to use in your garden. The other three windrows contain compost that is still resting or in progress and should not be used.

Please make sure to read the instructions carefully:

 

For an easy composting method — especially before winter — check out this guide on surface composting (compostage en surface).

Steps for Composting

  1. Cut — Cut plants off at the base and shake well to remove excess soil.
  2. Shred — Shred healthy garden scraps with a spade or cleaver.
  3. Toss — Place shredded residue in the compost windrow.

Please note: not everything belongs in the compost!

Take home: 

  • Plastic or metal waste (ties, labels, pots, etc.)
  • Wood, edging, stakes, etc.

Put in our City-provided brown compost bin:

The bin is located near the fence, on your left when you are facing the four windrows.

Green waste that should not be added to our compost, such as:

  • Plants that have gone to seed
  • Plants that are difficult to compost: rhubarb, tomato plants, raspberry canes, rose bushes
  • Hard branches

Bin for Other Green Waste (Seeds):

About the Compost Bins

The compost is available to all members, but please respect the signage indicating what compost is ready vs. not ready.

Creating quality compost takes a lot of effort, so please do not throw garbage or non-compostable items into the compost areas.

Take your garbage home with you!

The Composting Toilet

Jardin Mile End has a composting toilet, maintained by the Compost Committee. It is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional sanitation and supports the garden's commitment to sustainability.

Please use it responsibly and follow the on-site instructions. For more detailed information on how the composting toilet works and how to use it properly, see the guide below.

📄 Composting Toilet Guide (PDF)

Video Resources

Learn more about composting at JME through these YouTube videos:

Questions about composting? Contact the Compost Committee through our contact page.