Rake & Roll! Composting Giveaway

Fall is coming to western NC. The morning air is crisp, and the leaves are hinting of colorful changes ahead. To celebrate fall’s arrival, we’re doing a big composting giveaway here on the blog.

The Rake & Roll Composting Giveaway ended Monday, Sept. 19., 2016.

Update: The winner has been drawn!

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared the giveaway. We’ve had such fun that we’re definitely going to do it again, making this the “First Annual Rake & Roll Composting Giveaway.”

If you’re new around here, Gardens That Matter is dedicated to helping families grow beautiful, bountiful gardens together. Each week, we share step-by-step tutorials, tips for gardening with kids, and stories from the field and backyard.

And now for the announcement, our winner is…

Brigitte B. from Detroit, Michigan!

Congratulations, Brigitte!

If you’re curious about the prize she won (or wonder what we might give away in future contests), read on!

We love the fun of a big leaf pile to play in!

Then, we gather up the leaves and compost them with our kitchen scraps and other yard waste. By spring, we have rich, dark compost for the yard and garden.

What are the prizes for the Rake & Roll Composting Giveaway?

We’ve selected fun gear for the whole family to help collect and compost the fall leaves.  (I’ll include links to full product descriptions below.)

Rakes

• Toysmith 27-inch rake – It may come from Toysmith, but this tiny rake can do big jobs! This size is ideal for a young child (under 5).
• Ames 42-inch Poly Leaf Rake – A tool that’s strong enough for adults, but sized for older children (5 and up).
• Gardenite 63-inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake – This neat rake can be adjusted for a wide or narrow sweep. As you adjust it, the handle gets shorter; it can double as a third rake for kids, too.
• Fiskar’s 67-inch Leaf Rake – The big guy! This sturdy rake can move a lot of leaves, yet it’s surprisingly light.

Wheels

• Radio Flyer Kid’s Wheelbarrow – Quite possibly the cutest wheelbarrow I’ve ever seen. 🙂 It’s for little ones (under 5), but it can haul a good load of leaves, rocks, dirt, or toys.
• Gardener’s Supply All-Terrain Landscaper’s Wagon – This wagon is a workhorse. It can carry up to 550 pounds. Of course, your leaves won’t be that heavy. But you’ll be ready to move compost and kids next. 🙂

Composting Goodies

This trio comes from Gardener’s Supply Company, too. They have a solid guarantee and many years of experience creating great tools for the yard and garden.

• Dual-Batch Compost Tumbler – This heavy-duty compost tumbler will help you start composting quickly, even if you have a small amount of materials to start. It contains any smells coming from the process, so no neighbor’s noses are offended and no nosy pests are digging in your compost pile.
• Single Bin Wire Composter – This simple bin is perfect for making a big batch of compost or storing your extra leaves. If you don’t need it, you can take it apart and store the four panels easily with no worries of wires poking out.
• Stainless Steel Compost Pail – This model is easy to clean (one of my requirements!) and it doesn’t require the carbon filters that some crocks use. (In my experience, the filters get yucky and provide a great place for fruit flies to breed if you don’t change them often enough.)

And last, but now least, we’re going to help you get started as your personal garden guides (via the phone or Skype!):

• Three Compost Coaching calls with Amy & Colby from Gardens That Matter – Not sure where you should put your bin? Having trouble getting started? Want to up your composting practices?We’ll help you work through any questions or concerns you have about composting. These are 30-minute calls (video option available). For each call, we’ll send a few prep questions and follow up with a written summary and action plan.

The Rake & Roll! Composting Giveaway ended 9/19, 11:45 pm EST.

Here’s to leaf piles, fall fun, and composting giveaways!