Free compost giveaway this weekend

The city is giving away compost this weekend at its Coeur d’Alene composting plant.

Known as Coeur d’Green, the city-made compost is sold at three area nurseries, but for two days this weekend, May 16-17, the city will give the stuff away to the public during its annual free compost weekend.

Gardeners can pick up the compost at the city’s 18-acre plant at 3500 N. Julia St.

The city daily takes in an average of 18,000 wet-pounds of biosolids at its wastewater facility, and processes waste in a 51-day procedure resulting in a ready-for-sale product.

The Coeur d’Green facility has been on line since 1990 with several major additions including a covered chip storage facility, an updated aeration system and mixing and screening equipment.

The city does not sell compost directly to the public, but supplies the compost to retailers.

This weekend’s giveaway is a self-serve event and requires anyone picking up compost to bring a bucket and a shovel.

— Ralph Bartholdt