How to clean up the trash dump
3 views
Skip to first unread message
kale 2009
Apr 22, 2009, 1:53:45 PM4/22/09
to Blair Road Community Garden
gardeners,
Just last week, only one of the three new community gardens for the
Silver Spring/Takoma Park area were approved :(
Apparently, the neighbors didn't want CG in their vicinity because
according to them they were dirty. We all know that gardening is a
messy, yet I think we could do a better job at keeping the Blair more
appealing to the visitor eye.
Any suggestion on what do do about that big pile of trash in the
middle of the garden? It seems to be growing faster than my peas. A
lot of the trash in that pile comes from other plots.
We could hire a dumpster (from WM) and get together and clean it up.
Then, start up community compost piles for those that don't want to
keep weeds and debris in their plots. Or we could mandate that all
excess organic matter stays in one's plot.
Some thoughts
rafael
Just last week, only one of the three new community gardens for the
Silver Spring/Takoma Park area were approved :(
Apparently, the neighbors didn't want CG in their vicinity because
according to them they were dirty. We all know that gardening is a
messy, yet I think we could do a better job at keeping the Blair more
appealing to the visitor eye.
Any suggestion on what do do about that big pile of trash in the
middle of the garden? It seems to be growing faster than my peas. A
lot of the trash in that pile comes from other plots.
We could hire a dumpster (from WM) and get together and clean it up.
Then, start up community compost piles for those that don't want to
keep weeds and debris in their plots. Or we could mandate that all
excess organic matter stays in one's plot.
Some thoughts
rafael
on...@riseup.net
Apr 22, 2009, 3:21:35 PM4/22/09
to blair...@googlegroups.com
Hi Rafael and all,
As for the big trash pile - this pile started, as far as I know - because
of construction that was being done next to the garden and has continued
to grow because people see it as a place to dump stuff. Ultimately, the
city should be responsible for this pile.
I know the city is hard to rely on to take care of this kind of stuff, but
I wonder if they have even been asked formally?
It seems like one course of action if it hasn't been done already would be
for Mr. Williams or whoever else is "in charge" of the garden as a whole
to call the city and ask for them to arrange a trash pick up of the pile -
since it was abandoned in a public street by either
construction/developers or even a city related construction crew.
Perhaps this request has been made and it has just been ignored over and
over.
I think a collective compost pile in the middle of the garden - perhaps in
a currently unused plot could be a great way of reducing garden waste (and
from keeping it from going in the trash.) Maybe a small group of gardeners
could come together to set this up and maintain it. We would need approval
from Mr. Williams to use a plot for this.
It seems like in order for any ideas to become reality in terms of
improving the gardens we need to have members of the board and other
individuals that govern the garden and are ultimately in charge on this
list and engaged in the process of this dialog.
I am not sure who if any of those folks are on this list?
Further, as a refresher could someone please post a list of officers and
"chain of command" of who is in charge of the blair road gardens. Who
ultimately has the say on such decisions? This has always been unclear to
me, in terms of who to go regarding problems, concerns, improvement ideas,
etc.
In terms of rafael's suggestion:
"Or we could mandate that all excess organic matter stays in one's plot."
I am wondering - who would that mandate "officially" need to come from?
On that note: if we were to rent a big trash bin for clean up - could we
use garden funds for that - who has control over how those funds are used?
If anyone could post this info it would be really helpful.
Best,
Ryan
As for the big trash pile - this pile started, as far as I know - because
of construction that was being done next to the garden and has continued
to grow because people see it as a place to dump stuff. Ultimately, the
city should be responsible for this pile.
I know the city is hard to rely on to take care of this kind of stuff, but
I wonder if they have even been asked formally?
It seems like one course of action if it hasn't been done already would be
for Mr. Williams or whoever else is "in charge" of the garden as a whole
to call the city and ask for them to arrange a trash pick up of the pile -
since it was abandoned in a public street by either
construction/developers or even a city related construction crew.
Perhaps this request has been made and it has just been ignored over and
over.
I think a collective compost pile in the middle of the garden - perhaps in
a currently unused plot could be a great way of reducing garden waste (and
from keeping it from going in the trash.) Maybe a small group of gardeners
could come together to set this up and maintain it. We would need approval
from Mr. Williams to use a plot for this.
It seems like in order for any ideas to become reality in terms of
improving the gardens we need to have members of the board and other
individuals that govern the garden and are ultimately in charge on this
list and engaged in the process of this dialog.
I am not sure who if any of those folks are on this list?
Further, as a refresher could someone please post a list of officers and
"chain of command" of who is in charge of the blair road gardens. Who
ultimately has the say on such decisions? This has always been unclear to
me, in terms of who to go regarding problems, concerns, improvement ideas,
etc.
In terms of rafael's suggestion:
"Or we could mandate that all excess organic matter stays in one's plot."
On that note: if we were to rent a big trash bin for clean up - could we
use garden funds for that - who has control over how those funds are used?
If anyone could post this info it would be really helpful.
Best,
Ryan
mark perry
Apr 23, 2009, 6:35:57 AM4/23/09
to blair...@googlegroups.com
All garden refuse must be composted in each gardener's plot.
Gardeners are not suppose to plant woody stuff ( that does not break down ), so each gardener composts their own stuff.
* Note that plants in the Nightshade family should not be composted, ie; tomatoes, peppers, potatoes.
These plants should be taken away and disposed of by each gardener.
The large trash heap in the parking lot is from illegal dumping.
Williams & I have talked about getting a dumpster, though gardeners need to be there when it's dropped off, and fill it up, right away, or more illegal dumping will be put in our dumpster!
I'll talk to Williams, and see if we can get a 30 yard dumpster delivered on the day we set the garden clean-up.
The only problem is that after we clean up this mess....someone will come and illegally dump more.
B Captain, Mark
> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:53:45 -0700
> Subject: How to clean up the trash dump
> From: rafam...@gmail.com
> To: blair...@googlegroups.com
Gardeners are not suppose to plant woody stuff ( that does not break down ), so each gardener composts their own stuff.
* Note that plants in the Nightshade family should not be composted, ie; tomatoes, peppers, potatoes.
These plants should be taken away and disposed of by each gardener.
The large trash heap in the parking lot is from illegal dumping.
Williams & I have talked about getting a dumpster, though gardeners need to be there when it's dropped off, and fill it up, right away, or more illegal dumping will be put in our dumpster!
I'll talk to Williams, and see if we can get a 30 yard dumpster delivered on the day we set the garden clean-up.
The only problem is that after we clean up this mess....someone will come and illegally dump more.
B Captain, Mark
> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:53:45 -0700
> Subject: How to clean up the trash dump
> From: rafam...@gmail.com
> To: blair...@googlegroups.com
kale 2009
Apr 23, 2009, 3:40:01 PM4/23/09
to Blair Road Community Garden
Thanks for the info Mark,
I spoke to Williams yesterday who told that he is still trying to get
the city to pick it up. He also said that the Park Services won't do
it.
I called DC Dept of Public Works (202) 727-1000 and filed a complain
#2103788. I also spoke an individual at the The Helping Hands program;
they'll loan tools to assist clean-up efforts. Each tool kit
contains: 5 rakes, 5 brooms, 2 shovels and 20 trash bags...best of
all, is free. i have the application so if we decided to get a
dumpster, we could consider this program.
As for the dumpster, it would be about $400. the challenge to let
people know about the cleaning day....as of today, there are only 10
members in this group.
In any case, the largest challenge is, as Mark said, ensuring that
there won't be any dumpling in the future, both from outsiders and
from plot holders that don't want to compost in their plot. To me, the
best solution would be to put a fence (or something) to prevent cars
from getting all the way to the end of the cul de sac (where the pile
of trash is). Since lighting is much better in the area close to the
church, people will be less likely to dump trash.
just a thought
best,
rafael
On Apr 23, 6:35 am, mark perry <mt...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> All garden refuse must be composted in each gardener's plot.
>
> Gardeners are not suppose to plant woody stuff ( that does not break down ), so each gardener composts their own stuff.
>
> * Note that plants in the Nightshade family should not be composted, ie; tomatoes, peppers, potatoes.
> These plants should be taken away and disposed of by each gardener.
>
> The large trash heap in the parking lot is from illegal dumping.
>
> Williams & I have talked about getting a dumpster, though gardeners need to be there when it's dropped off, and fill it up, right away, or more illegal dumping will be put in our dumpster!
>
> I'll talk to Williams, and see if we can get a 30 yard dumpster delivered on the day we set the garden clean-up.
>
> The only problem is that after we clean up this mess....someone will come and illegally dump more.
>
> B Captain, Mark
>
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:53:45 -0700
> > Subject: How to clean up the trash dump
> > From: rafamerc...@gmail.com
> Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail.http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_more_042009
I spoke to Williams yesterday who told that he is still trying to get
the city to pick it up. He also said that the Park Services won't do
it.
I called DC Dept of Public Works (202) 727-1000 and filed a complain
#2103788. I also spoke an individual at the The Helping Hands program;
they'll loan tools to assist clean-up efforts. Each tool kit
contains: 5 rakes, 5 brooms, 2 shovels and 20 trash bags...best of
all, is free. i have the application so if we decided to get a
dumpster, we could consider this program.
As for the dumpster, it would be about $400. the challenge to let
people know about the cleaning day....as of today, there are only 10
members in this group.
In any case, the largest challenge is, as Mark said, ensuring that
there won't be any dumpling in the future, both from outsiders and
from plot holders that don't want to compost in their plot. To me, the
best solution would be to put a fence (or something) to prevent cars
from getting all the way to the end of the cul de sac (where the pile
of trash is). Since lighting is much better in the area close to the
church, people will be less likely to dump trash.
just a thought
best,
rafael
On Apr 23, 6:35 am, mark perry <mt...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> All garden refuse must be composted in each gardener's plot.
>
> Gardeners are not suppose to plant woody stuff ( that does not break down ), so each gardener composts their own stuff.
>
> * Note that plants in the Nightshade family should not be composted, ie; tomatoes, peppers, potatoes.
> These plants should be taken away and disposed of by each gardener.
>
> The large trash heap in the parking lot is from illegal dumping.
>
> Williams & I have talked about getting a dumpster, though gardeners need to be there when it's dropped off, and fill it up, right away, or more illegal dumping will be put in our dumpster!
>
> I'll talk to Williams, and see if we can get a 30 yard dumpster delivered on the day we set the garden clean-up.
>
> The only problem is that after we clean up this mess....someone will come and illegally dump more.
>
> B Captain, Mark
>
>
>
> > Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:53:45 -0700
> > Subject: How to clean up the trash dump
> > To: blair...@googlegroups.com
>
> > gardeners,
> > Just last week, only one of the three new community gardens for the
> > Silver Spring/Takoma Park area were approved :(
>
> > Apparently, the neighbors didn't want CG in their vicinity because
> > according to them they were dirty. We all know that gardening is a
> > messy, yet I think we could do a better job at keeping the Blair more
> > appealing to the visitor eye.
>
> > Any suggestion on what do do about that big pile of trash in the
> > middle of the garden? It seems to be growing faster than my peas. A
> > lot of the trash in that pile comes from other plots.
>
> > We could hire a dumpster (from WM) and get together and clean it up.
> > Then, start up community compost piles for those that don't want to
> > keep weeds and debris in their plots. Or we could mandate that all
> > excess organic matter stays in one's plot.
>
> > Some thoughts
> > rafael
>
> _________________________________________________________________
>
> > gardeners,
> > Just last week, only one of the three new community gardens for the
> > Silver Spring/Takoma Park area were approved :(
>
> > Apparently, the neighbors didn't want CG in their vicinity because
> > according to them they were dirty. We all know that gardening is a
> > messy, yet I think we could do a better job at keeping the Blair more
> > appealing to the visitor eye.
>
> > Any suggestion on what do do about that big pile of trash in the
> > middle of the garden? It seems to be growing faster than my peas. A
> > lot of the trash in that pile comes from other plots.
>
> > We could hire a dumpster (from WM) and get together and clean it up.
> > Then, start up community compost piles for those that don't want to
> > keep weeds and debris in their plots. Or we could mandate that all
> > excess organic matter stays in one's plot.
>
> > Some thoughts
> > rafael
>
> Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail.http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_more_042009
mark perry
Apr 24, 2009, 6:34:45 AM4/24/09
to blair...@googlegroups.com
How would the gardeners get in?
Who's going to pay for the fence?
But, most of all, It's DC's property, so you can't put a fence up.
Maybe we could put up a real camera on a tree by the house next to the church.
Once we caught an illegal dumper, as long as we can see the plate #, we could report them to the illegal dumping hotline.
I can't remember the #, but if you drive to the legal dump at fort totten, there are blue signs up all around the place with the info.
Vehicles with DC tags can dump at fort totten for free.
Vehicles with MD tags can dump in MD for almost nothing.
My guess is that whoever is dumping on us is doing it over and over again. Maybe if we can catch them once, and prosecute, they'll go somewhere else.
Mark
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:40:01 -0700
> Subject: Re: How to clean up the trash dump
> From: rafam...@gmail.com
> To: blair...@googlegroups.com
Who's going to pay for the fence?
But, most of all, It's DC's property, so you can't put a fence up.
Maybe we could put up a real camera on a tree by the house next to the church.
Once we caught an illegal dumper, as long as we can see the plate #, we could report them to the illegal dumping hotline.
I can't remember the #, but if you drive to the legal dump at fort totten, there are blue signs up all around the place with the info.
Vehicles with DC tags can dump at fort totten for free.
Vehicles with MD tags can dump in MD for almost nothing.
My guess is that whoever is dumping on us is doing it over and over again. Maybe if we can catch them once, and prosecute, they'll go somewhere else.
Mark
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:40:01 -0700
> Subject: Re: How to clean up the trash dump
> From: rafam...@gmail.com
> To: blair...@googlegroups.com
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages