The Dirt Factory, the community compost facility that opened at 4308 Market Street six years ago, has closed due to the sale of the property. The facility is currently looking for a new home and is not accepting composting donations from the community at the moment, according to The Dirt Factory website.

The University City District opened the facility in 2012 and transformed an empty lot into a neighborhood asset. It’s not yet known what the new owner is planning to do with the lot. So far no construction permits have been issued. A new “higher end” apartment building is being proposed next door to the lot – at 4312-20 Market.

Soil Kitchen will be at The Dirt Factory on Saturday, Apr. 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., which means you can bring some of the soil from your garden to be tested for lead and other poisonous elements. While there, you can also pick up some high-quality organic compost. The Dirt Factory will be distributing up to 10 gallons per person of screened compost produced from University City’s fallen leaves and food scraps.

All this is part of the Dirt Day activities to be held at The Dirt Factory. All participants will receive a consultation on their test results, and free soup! See the infographic below on how to prepare a soil sample for testing.

The Dirt Factory is located at 4308 Market Street. For more information about the site, click here. And here is the event’s Facebook page (please RSVP if you’re planning to attend).

Here’s a great opportunity for gardeners to get free compost and check out West Philly’s Dirt Factory. The Dirt Factory, which opened almost a year ago at 4308 Market Street, is inviting neighbors to Dirt Day on Saturday, May 18 where you can receive free compost created at the facility from waste contributed by local residents, attend free workshops and tour the facility. In addition, there will be free food from West Philly businesses, plantables, and even free buckets for collecting your compostable waste. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and here’s the workshop schedule:

• 11 a.m. – noon:  Making Your Own Compost featuring Christine Tilles, Penn State Extension Educator
• 1-2 p.m.:  Vegetable Gardening with Compost featuring Jessica Herwick, Penn State Extension Master Gardener

Everyone can take home up to 10 gallons of compost for free at tomorrow’s event, and while there, take a tour of The Dirt Factory to learn how the compost was made. Attendees are requested to RSVP at compost@universitycity.org

Reminder: The Dirt Factory is open for compostable waste drop-off from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information go to: universitycity.org/dirt-factory

 
The Dirt Factory has been open since June 19 and is already seeing a pretty high turnout of neighbors dropping off compost. This Saturday (July 7) The Dirt Factory presents the first two in a series of workshops at their facility at 4308 Market Street. At 10 a.m. residents are invited to a composting workshop taught by compost expert Christine Tilles. She will teach you how to reduce the amount of material that you send to the landfill while creating compost for your garden in just a few months. Organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps can be converted into a rich organic material that plants love. You’ll also have a chance to see a few different backyard compost methods in action.

Also on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. come learn about vegetable gardening in the cool season. Master Gardener Julie Cox will talk about vegetables that are grown in the Spring and Fall, and how and when to plant the fall crop. She will also discuss garlic, which is planted in the Fall to enjoy next year.

Both workshops are free and will also include prizes and giveaways.

If you are interested in attending any of these workshops, please RSVP at sustainability@universitycity.org.

Compost Drop-Off Reminder: neighbors can drop their compost off at The Dirt Factory every Wednesday, from 5 to 6 p.m. As concerns holiday hours, please note that The Dirt Factory is always open on Wednesdays 5-6 unless reported otherwise on this website: http://universitycity.org/dirt-factory.