Compost bins
Explanation
At the entrance of the Tapijn Garden, you will immediately come across compost bins. Compost plays an important role in the way crops grow here. In these bins, compost is made. Innumerable tiny critters and microorganisms are busy converting dead plant matter into fertile compost. Remnants of vegetables that were not harvested, (autumn) leaves, and pruning waste are mixed together, after which bacteria, fungi, worms, and other tiny critters go to work to make compost. The temperature in the bins can rise considerably, up to 60 degrees Celsius. You can feel the heat yourself or look at the temperature gauge that indicates how hot it is.
Relationship with humans
Why we do what we do
These microorganisms and worms work for us. They make sure that the vegetables and herbs that we will be eating later on are able to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil. We help these microorganisms by filling the bins with dead plant matter and pruning waste from elsewhere. The compost heap was set up by Tapijn Garden employees, and they also ensure that the material is regularly turned, so that the plant mass is well mixed and oxygen can enter. After some time, we will have compost that can then be used on the garden. This way, the nutrients are again available to the plants and the cycle is complete.