Looking for Vegetable Garden Compost

18 years ago

Hi, I am finally setting up a vegetable garden here in Northern Virginia. We are going with the "Square Foot" method and need a plentiful supply of compost, not manure (what's available for sale at H.D and Lowe's etc.) but composted organic material, I probably will want several yards worth. Does anyone know somewhere I can go to buy compost for the set up phase? I will be busily producing my own for next year but for now I need some quick! Any suggestions of a good source of decent compost material will be gratefully accepted.

Thanks!

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a2ndhandrose
Original Author

18 years ago

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have found a few bags of composted materials, thanks for the great suggestions. I have plans to make my own barrel type composter soon, that'll sure help, I hope. Has anybody here ever made and used one? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Our strawberry pyramid is up and planted though late, I'm sure it'll do fine. I have 1/2 June bearerrs, 1/2 everbearers. I am putting in two frames for Square Foot Gardening this weekend and hope to build a couple smaller boxes on Monday, to put up next weekend on my deck. Then I'll transplant the herbs into them. I am so happy I found this list! It's been wonderful fun to read and learn about all the stuff here in Virginia. What a wonderful resource!

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Comments (6)

the_virginian
18 years ago
Fairfax County sometimes has pick up stations for composted leaves and wood chips.
Brent_In_NoVA
18 years ago
Many nurseries in the area sell compost for around $30 per yard (Merrifield, Meadows Farms, Blue Mount, ...). That price is not too bad as long as you have a pickup truck to haul it yourself. Mix in delivery charges and/or minimum orders and it can get a bit pricey. Virginia Ground Covers in Sterling is one of the cheapest, but the time I was there checking it out it smelled a bit more than I would like.

I have had very good luck with the LeafGro sold in the bags at the box stores, but if you need several yards, then "by the bag" would be too expensive. I am pretty sure that Merrifield has LeafGro in bulk.

- Brent
lkaa
18 years ago
Although Windy Hill Plant Farm is closed, they are still doing compost. I think it may only be via delivery, but it is $25/yard plus delivery (costs vary depending on where you are). If you are interested, I can provide contact information. Their stuff is really good, have been using it for years with great success.
mathteacherva
18 years ago
For the past three years, I've had a load of composted leaf mulch delivered. I got the hauler's name at the Fairfax County website. It's Robert's Hauling. (703) 855-9875 (cell phone). It's about $160 for a LARGE dumptruck load. It's black, shredded leaves--not crumbly compost yet. That, and all the grass clippings I can gather from around the neighborhood, and maybe someday I'll have 1/3 acre of good soil! I'd like to have the Windy Hill contact information. Rose
lkaa
18 years ago
Rose -
You can contact Rick directly at 703-327-6413 or Rick@Windyhill.net.
Good luck! Laila