Compost is nature's gift to any gardener and free of unwanted plant seeds due to the high temperatures reached during the composting process.
Don't have a backyard composter in your backyard? We've got you covered! The City sells compost at the landfill site seasonally. Check barrie.ca/landfill to confirm availability.
Composters for Sale
The FreeGarden Earth composter is available for purchase at the Barrie Landfill, 272 Ferndale Drive North, Tuesday to Saturday 8:30am to 3:30pm. View the landfill rates sheet for current pricing.
Backyard Composting Benefits
Using your green bin and/or composting your kitchen and yard waste can cut your household waste almost in half and dramatically reduce the amount of household garbage going to our rapidly filling landfill. Benefits of using compost include:
- Increases organic matter in soils
- Builds sound root structure
- Makes clay soils airy so they drain
- Gives sandy soils body to hold moisture
- Attracts and feeds earthworms
- Balances pH (acidity/alkalinity) of soil
- Reduces water demands of plants and trees
- Helps control soil erosion
- Reduces plant stress from droughts and freezing
- Can extend the growing season
- Improves vitamin and mineral content of food grown in compost-rich soils
- When generously applied, compost eliminates reliance upon petrochemical fertilizers
- Healthier Plants
Plants do best in soil that is teeming with micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. These and many other organisms create a food that provides the soil with the nutrients plants need to thrive. Healthy soils create healthy plants, and healthy plants are good at resisting pests and diseases. - Water Savings
As the level of organic matter in your soil builds up, it becomes like a sponge. Water soaks into the soil rather than running off it. Secondly, more air space allows more water to be held, meaning you use less irrigation.
Pest-Proofing Your Compost Bin
Are there pests in your neighbourhood? You may not even be aware of any small critters like raccoons, mice rats, insects, etc., until you start to compost. Previously unnoticed pests may now be looking for a new source of food or a cozy bed in your compost pile. The best solution is prevention. If you compost correctly, your pile will be less attractive to pests.
The following information outlines some general tips and specific methods of protecting your compost pile. Composting will not encourage pest populations to move into your area, though a neglected pile may attract local populations and make them more visible to you.
Compost Available for Purchase Seasonally
Don't have a backyard composter in your backyard? We've got you covered! Compost is sold seasonally and when available at the landfill site, 272 Ferndale Drive North. The compost sold at the landfill is generated from Barrie's yard waste collection program and is processed as per the Ontario Compost Quality Standards. Visit barrie.ca/landfill to confirm availability. The City charges a fee to help recoup part of the costs associated with producing the compost, including equipment, temperature monitoring and sampling of material throughout the process to meet regulatory requirements.