Fenway Victory Gardens Selects HOTBIN to Compost Invasive Plants

The Fenway Gardens Society (FGS), which oversees the historic Fenway Victory Gardens, selected HOTBIN Composting to run a controlled experiment on composting invasive plants. To kick-start the project, we visited the gardens and joined Pam Jorgensen, President of FGS, and the group that will be conducting the experiment. The enthusiast group from FGS conducting the experiment included Christine Nelson —VP of Communications, Victoria Stock and Wendell B.

“I am very excited about this product that we hope will allow us to compost invasives in the Gardens,” commented Pam Jorgensen. “The HOTBINs look good and will be a fantastic tool for controlling invasives in the Victory Gardens,” added Victoria Stock. 

In addition to meeting with Pam and the FGS team, we toured the 7.5 acres of gardens and witnessed —first-hand— their beauty and the benefits they offer to the community of members. No two garden plots are the same. They range from very elaborate gardens with fountains and stone pavers surrounded by plants, flowers, and seating areas; to colorful but simple plots highlighted by a variety of plants and flowers; and highly productive vegetable gardens. These 400 plus members —who live in the city and have little or no garden— can enjoy having a plot of land and spending time in their own garden in the heart of Boston.

About Invasive Plants

Invasive plants grow well even in less than desirable conditions such as sandy soils along roadsides, shaded wooded areas, and in wetlands. In ideal conditions, such as gardens, they grow and spread even faster. There are many ways to remove invasive plants which include burning, solarization by bagging or placing them under the sun for several weeks, burying them, drowning them and finally by composting them.

If successful, FGS will be incorporating HOTBIN composters to their composting operations.

Why HOTBIN?

HOTBIN is a hot composter and ‘heat’ is the successful factor in destroying the most resilient perennial seeds. HOTBIN’s can sustain temperatures between 120-140°F, thus able to get the job done. However, there are some precautions that need to be taken in account to be sure that the unwanted seeds are eradicated before spreading them out with a newly produced compost.

Click to learn more on this topic - Can I Compost Invasive Plants with HOTBIN?

About Fenway Victory Gardens (FGS)

FGS was founded in 1942 during World War II and is the only garden to have continued its operation in the same location, and one of two remaining continuously operating in the USA. During the war, all commercially grown crops and transportation resources were dedicated to support military operations, and civilians were encouraged to grow fruits and vegetables in gardens for their own consumption. At the time, it is estimated there were 20 million victory gardens in existence across the nation, including neighborhoods, community plots like FGS and even the White House, supplying 40% of all fruits and vegetables consumed nationally.

The Gates at Fenway Victory Gardens

Located in the heart of Boston, Fenway Victory Gardens have 500 garden plots spanning 7.5 acres and is tended by more than 475 members from every neighborhood in Boston, reflecting the diversity of the city and its rich history and culture.

For more information of the gardens visit: https://fenwayvictorygardens.org/