Eliot Coleman, composting in a box...

Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch build a composting 'box' of straw bales, placing them as one would bricks, two bales high.

In the fall they go into the countryside for pickup trucks of composting materials.

They layer in, first, dry and brown materials (for air spaces in the mix).

Then goes a layer of green materials, followed by a few shovelfuls of soil (for bacteria), and some water.

And they repeat the layers on top...brown and dry; green; a little dirt; and some water.

When the 'box' is full, and composted, it becomes a 'raised planting bed'. It may even be possible to plant right into a top dressing of soil. I would imagine considerable heat would be generated during the composting, making a 'hot box', and extending the growing season.

Perhaps one could put old windows on top for a greenhouse effect.

The straw bales keep the pile warmer all winter. Eventually the straw bales compost with the contents.

Eliot grows and harvests five vegetables all winter, in his unheated New England greenhouse.

He has also designed a greenhouse on skids, so he can cover and uncover plants on central shelves as the season dictates.

Eliot designs many of his own gardening tools.

His TV program was the most interesting I've ever seen, and he has written three books. He also travels to lecture where he is hired.

Eliot Coleman is the correct spelling of his name. This is his website http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/. Especially see the sections on Authentic Food.

At the bottom of the 'Questions' page you'll find the whereabouts of Eliot and Barbara's TV series. Maybe we can get those aired on a regular basis. Or, maybe we can purchase copies.

Enjoy!


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Is your show "Gardening Naturally" still on the air?

No. The television show Gardening Naturally, hosted by Barbara and Eliot, aired on The Learning Channel from 1993-2003. No future segments are currently planned. Please direct questions to:

Discovery Networks
1-859-342-8439
9 AM and 6 PM (EST) Monday-Friday
or (240) 642-3518

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See also:

... http://www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=96541

(You'll also love Ashoka's world-wide projects... http://www.ashoka.org )


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