DEAR SUN SPOTS: We compost, and because we have had a garden, we have had a use for the dirt. But we are not going to have a garden this year. We still have a few flowerbeds, and we could sprinkle the dirt around our yard and whatever.

But the other weekend we were talking to some friends of ours who live in Portland, and they were saying that they can just put compost out by the curb and someone comes to pick it up, like garbage or recycling.

We are surprised that Lots to Gardens doesn’t do something like that. They could even have a drop-off location instead of pickup service. I’m sure it would be hard to keep people from throwing cigarette butts and beer cans into it, but I’m sure it would be possible. — Jason, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots began her queries with the public works departments in Lewiston and Auburn. 

Lewiston Public Works Deputy Director Megan Bates said that the city does not pickup or produce compost.

In Auburn, Information Assistant Tracy Pinkham emailed that: “We do not do a pickup. If it is leaves and grass from raking the lawn, they can go into the weekly trash pickup, because everything gets incinerated and used as composting fill. If it is biodegradable items, like food waste, then no, we do not have a pickup or drop-off.”

Next Sun Spots turned to Lots to Gardens. Education & Outreach Coordinator Bridgette Bartlett emailed that:

“Lots to Gardens composts within our community gardens and composts food scraps from our cooking programs. We don’t currently have an official program that collects compost from local residents.

“Some community gardeners bring compost from their houses to add to the bins in the community gardens, and we’ve had a handful of people that have inquired and we’ve given instructions for bringing their compost to one of our bins.

“If this reader would like to contact us directly, we could likely arrange a place for them to bring their compost. We would love to be able to turn more of people’s food scraps into good soil but currently don’t have the space or capacity to make sure it’s all managed well.

“Another composting option for apartment dwellers is starting a composting worm bin. Lots to Gardens will be offering a workshop on building your own worm bin on Aug. 27 at the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center. Readers can contact us for more information or to signup: 207-513-3844, nutritioncenterme@gmail.com or www.lotstogardens.org.

Finally, Megan did suggest that if the resident has compost they’d like to share, they might call the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension. 

Sun Spots contacted the cooperative extension. They do not have a formal program, but the representative for Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, Tori Lee Jackson in Lisbon Falls, offered to contact her master gardener volunteers to see if one of them needs compost. Tori can be emailed at tori.jackson@maine.edu or called at 353-5550, ext. 11.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: With the signs of spring come thoughts of gardening plans. I have switched from a wood-burning stove to a pellet stove. Although they both burn a wood product, the ashes look different. Would pellet ashes have the same liming effect or value on the garden and lawn as wood ashes do? Would the application need to be the same?

Thanks so much for your help, your column is very interesting and helpful every day. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots research indicates that the difference between a pellet stove and traditional wood stove is mostly in the quantity of ash produced (pellet stove ash may be “finer”). The bigger issue appears to be whether you burn soft or hard wood.

For readers who may not know, “liming effect” means that the product is alkaline. Wood ashes are alkaline and can be used to help balance the pH level of your garden soil. It can also provide other nutrients. At ehow.com, it says:

“Fireplace ashes contain phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium carbonate, or lime. Calcium carbonate makes the soil more alkaline, or ‘sweet.’ The exact percentages of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium vary according to what type of wood burned. Wood ash contains no nitrogen. Ashes generally contain about three times as much calcium as potassium. Phosphorous content is usually about 1 to 3 percent. Add ash when soil test results show your soil’s pH is too low or deficient in potassium. If you forgo the soil test, limit the amount of ash you add to your garden soil annually. Use no more 1 pound of ash per year on shrubs and roses, and 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn, vegetable garden or flower garden.”

The same website says that ashes from softwood have about one-fifth as much phosphorus, calcium carbonate and magnesium, and about half as much potassium, as the ashes from hardwood.

Don’t use ashes from burning trash or cardboard, and don’t use ashes on acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas or rhododendrons.

Some sources indicated ashes also may have some insect-repellent ability.

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