Archive for the ‘Home Gardens’ Category

January 30, 2008

Composting In 3-Easy Steps

Composting is easy and requires little time, effort, or expense. With the environmental benefits, composting offers tremendous return on investment!

Getting Started: Creating a Compost Bin

1. Select a dry, shady area with easy water access

2. Build a compost bin; suitable materials include galvanized chicken wire, cinder blocks, or wood

3. Supplies You’ll Need: Pitchfork, shovel or machete, water hose

4. Identifying Compost Materials

• Brown Materials: Includes materials such as dead leaves, branches , twigs
• Green Materials: Includes materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds
• Water

Composting In 3-Easy Steps

1. Alternate layers of green and brown materials in compost bin, spraying each layer with water
2. Rotate pile weekly, using a pitchfork or shovel; to aid in compost breakdown efficiency, use a shovel or machete to cut up larger pieces of refuse
3. A properly maintained compost pile will take a minimum of two months, to turn into a soil enrichment compound. Once the compost turns into a dark brown soil-type mixture; it is ready to be tilled into your soil.

The Science of Composting

For optimum compost development, mix equal amounts of brown materials in alternate layers with the green. The green materials provides nitrogen, while the brown ones provide carbon; the water provides moisture necessary to break down the organic matter. A note of caution, as the compost begins to cook, temperatures can reach 160 degrees!

Composting can be fun when shared with family and friends and it’s a great way to nourish your soil, recycle, and save money.

January 23, 2008

Making a Positive Impact with Composting

Composting offers several benefits, including making a positive impact in our community and environment.

Composting Enriches the Soil

Compost reinvigorates tired soil with needed natural nutrients. Since it increases soil moisture retention, compost decreases watering needs.

Composting Reduces Pollution

Often compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to the environment when flushed away by rain water into our water reservoirs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard wastes generate methane gas and acidic leachate when they decompose in landfills.

Compositing Provides Good Recycling Stewardship

Instead of filling landfills with bags of grass clippings, leaves, and kitchen refuse, these natural elements combine to make a nutrient-rich compost.

Composting Saves Money

Since compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and watering, cost-savings are an added benefit! Composting is an easy project with many benefits and requires little time or effort.

Making a positive impact on our environment is easy with composting. Why not start today?