Cedar Grove Composting

Last Saturday I was walking along 34th near Stone Way, when I spied some new banners advertising Cedar Grove Composting. And lo and behold, there it was! Cedar Grove Composting, right behind the Subway, kind of in the back of the parking lot adjacent to Gas Works Kite Shop.

I stopped in and spoke with C.J. Castillo, the Facility Manager at this new “Fremont” location. C.J. sent me some information about the new site, which is copied below. For the record, I think we should tease C.J. that he’s about 40 feet east of Fremont.  Unofficially, anyway.

Welcome to Fremont/Wallingford/Wallymont, Cedar Grove!

The Fremont yard is located on the parking lot at North 34th Street & Stone Way (behind Subway.) Cedar Grove has created a drop off station for yard waste and clean green, and a retail operation for an expanding number of compostable products that “contribute to closing the loop.”

We accept “Clean Green” yard waste at a charge of $20 a yard.

Cedar Grove makes five soil products, now all sold in Fremont. Three can be purchased in bulk: the 100% organic Compost, the NW Garden Mulch which contains a 50-50 split of compost and bark, and the Two-Way Topsoil which contains a 50-50 split of compost and sand.

We sell three bagged products: Cedar Grove Potting Soil (bark, compost, earthworm casings, and fishmeal,) and Booster Blend (which contains dairy manure) and Two-Way Top Soil. Consumers can also purchase Garden Soxx, as well as compostable cups (hot & cold,) bowls, plates, napkins, take-out containers and bags. Landscapers can now drop off yard waste, and pick up soil product(s) they need to complete their job – locally.

Cedar Groves: Composting Process in a Nutshell

Using a European process, Cedar Grove converts yard waste – much of it from Seattle – into nutrient rich, 100% organic compost. Cedar Grove’s process (http://www.cedar-grove.com/about/technology.asp) involves covering compost beds with membrane laminate technology and using two different kinds of fans to blow air through the waste to ensure it stays aerobic. This commercial process heats the waste to temperatures not achievable in a homemade compost pile, to kill off weed seeds and plant pathogens. No chemical additives, and create a finished product faster, through their process, than can be accomplished at home.

Now gardeners in Fremont, as well as Wallingford, Ballard, U-District, etc., can access these products straight from the source.

Open Monday thru Saturday, from 8a – 5p. Times, and days, are subject to change. To confirm the open hours call 206-402-2440 or email at [email protected] .

For additional info please contact Susan Thoman – Director of Outreach at 206-832-3000.

Also please view this video to give you a better idea of Cedar Grove as a whole:

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071116

Thanks!

CJ Castillo
Facility Manager
Cedar Grove – Fremont PHC
206-402-2440