The Wonderful World of Freecycle

Freecycle. The word came to me one evening. I rushed to my computer and googled the word to see if something as cool as 'freecycle' could exist. By gum, it did!

What I learned was that Freecycle is a web based community forum or bulletin board where people can both offer and request items. Remodeling your kitchen? "OFFER: Kitchen Cabinets". Or you just had a weight change? "OFFER: Women's shirts, size medium". Or maybe you're doing some housecleaning? "OFFER: 2 years of back Yoga Journal issues". Need something for a project or looking for a new item? "WANTED: Picture Frames" or "WANTED: Newspaper for my wormbin" maybe even "WANTED: Redworms for my wormbin" or simply "WANTED: Travel Coffee Cup". You usually pick up at the home of the person who is giving it away, although I've even had things delivered to me!

The idea behind Freecycle is to keep things out of landfills. It's great to recycle your old collection of Yoga Journals, but isn't it better to give them to someone who could use them in their current incarnation?

In Marin County, we are very lucky to have such an active Freecycle group. It is superbly moderated by Nicole; groups.yahoo.com/group/marinfreecycle/ has over 5000 members, and averages about 200 offer, wanted, taken, promised and received posts weekly.

I love asking for things on Freecycle. Sometimes I get treasures, sometimes my search is fruitless, but very rarely do I ever receive duds. I also lovelovelove offering things on Freecycle. I believe that what you put into Freecycle, you get back. Personally I have Freecycled kitchen appliances (juicer, bread maker, refrigerator), a hot tub and a BBQ, a 1/2 a bag of kitty litter, books, houseplants, gift wrap and yoga DVDs, just to name a few. Nearly anything can be found in your community, if you know where to look. I strongly encourage you to find and frequent your own Freecycle community. If there isn't one in your area, then start one! The only cost is going to your community members' houses and picking up your new treasures. Plus, you'll save money, keep items out of the landfill and you just might meet your neighbors and make some friends in the process.

IVOFG: Making compost 131

This article was written by Alexis Distad for the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden student blog.

Today we made compost piles. We went out to the field to 'get down!' As a class we broke off into groups trimming chard back and removing bolted lettuce and basil. Sunburnt peppers and other green material were made into a huge green pile.

In three groups, we each laid out the structure for a 6'x6'x6' compost pile. First we went down the sunflower stalks.

Branches would have worked well also. The big guys work well to facilitate drainage. Next we add a layer about 2"-4" thick of brown matter. In our case the brown matter was hay (and then wood chips when the hay ran out).

Dry leaves would also do the trick. Then the pile is doused with a hose. Just enough water to well dampen but not drench the pile. The pile is then covered with a similarly thick layer of green matter. We used the large pile of greens that we had just pulled from the earth. Any garden greens will do fine. Again, douse with water. Next comes a similarly sized layer of manure. We used horse manure.

Then more water yet again. And the cycle goes on. Brown, green, manure. Brown, green, manure. Brown, green, manure. All then capped off preferably with hay, although some other brown matter would work also.

All this until the pile is (ideally) six feet tall.

As our three groups built up, some were in the rows uprooting more bolted lettuce for our green layers. All the work uncovered some rare critters.

We found a super fuzzy caterpillar, a praying mantis, and a camera shy frog, all in the rainbow chard!

After all the piles were completed we stood in a circle encompassing the piles, holding hands, offering blessings to our new piles.

These compost piles are made of 100% organic materials. Everything in it is of the earth, and will go back from whence she came. There is no plastic case that had to be made, shipped, purchased, assembled and eventually thrown away. Our piles are 100% au natural. Our piles will get turned weekly, although a pile this size can be turned every two weeks.

Lastly, an aerobic compost pile, such as ours, has to get to 131 degrees Fahrenheit for at least three days in order for it to do its do. It can get hotter, but never any cooler.