Why should I compost? I’m not growing vegetables.

by: David Emmerson, LCCHS Science Teacher and Solana Center Master Composter

Kitchen waste, yard clippings, paper, coffee grounds, and other organic materials that are produced in the home are all considered “biodegradable”. This term has a positive connotation, especially to us environmentalists. It means that they can be broken down into their raw materials by a variety of living organisms such as microbes (helpful bacteria, protozoa and fungi), earthworms and many different arthropods. Many of our choices at stores are based on purchasing materials that will biodegrade or “rot”.  The theory is that the materials will then be reincorporated as plant nutrients and find their way back into the food chain in a healthy ecosystem.

Leslie turns a Biostack compost bin.

In the United States and in many other developed countries, we over-produce and generate a lot of waste. We have become a throw-away society, keeping our homes neat and tidy by either rinsing things down our drains or putting wastes in plastic bags out on the curb where it all goes out of sight, out of mind. The illusion is that we have solved our problems and shouldn’t worry because the waste will biodegrade on its own. We sometimes further the cause by putting “green” waste into special bins to be picked up separately to be kept out of landfills. However, most of us don’t realize is that almost all of the biodegradable material that we flush, rinse or throw out is going to end up breaking down in an anaerobic environment either as sewage sludge or in most cases in landfills. The separated green waste most often gets used as ADC, “Alternate Daily Cover” to top off the day’s trash which is then layered over the next day, so it gets buried anyhow. Locally, the cities of San Diego and Oceanside have composting facilities where green waste collected at the curb can be taken to be composted or mulched. But if you do not live in those cities or in an area where composting facilities are available, you do not necessarily keep it out of the landfill by separating it.

When organic material decomposes without oxygen, the microorganism can only partially break it down. One of the major end products of this type of decomposition is methane gas (CH₄). Methane makes up a little over half of the gas that comes from landfills. Global methane emissions from landfills are estimated to be between 30 and 70 million tons each year. Most of this landfill methane currently comes from developed countries, where the levels of waste tend to be highest. The EPA indicates that methane is about 10% of the green house gases released in the US each year. But it is 72 times more effective (over a 25 year period) at contributing to global warming than the better known greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂). Landfills are the second largest source of human-related atmospheric methane, almost one fourth of the methane we release now comes from landfills. Landfills provide ideal conditions for methane production, with lots of organic material and anaerobic conditions. The huge amounts of waste that are buried in landfill sites means that methane is produced for years after the site is closed, due to the waste slowly decaying under the ground. Having the waste we produce at home shipped to landfills means further greenhouse gas produced from the fuel burned.

The Solana Center garden abounds from the compost ammended soil.

By properly composting kitchen waste and yard clippings you can ensure that the waste will not sit in a landfill producing methane. Instead, it will go to work at creating healthy soil and reducing amount of water runoff. Several very effective composting methods are available for domestic use, with vermi-composting (using worms) being particularly effective at quickly converting kitchen waste into good quality garden compost.

Even if you are not serious about gardening, you will improve the water retention of your soil and improve the health of the lawn, shrubs, trees or other landscaping if you turn your organic wastes into compost and put it back into the ground. Healthy soil is an important factor in protecting our water resources. Compost increases soil’s ability to retain water and decreases runoff. Runoff pollutes water by carrying soil, fertilizers and pesticides to nearby streams and sewer drains. Compost encourages healthy root systems, which also decrease runoff. Healthy root systems mean healthy plants and thus better growth and carbon sequestration. If we use compost, we can reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic fertilizers (which come from petroleum). Many people add fertilizer to flowers or lawns even if they are not gardening. Only a 5% increase in organic material quadruples soils capacity to hold water. Not too interested in back breaking work with a shovel to turn the compost into the soil? Don’t want to pay for a roto-tiller? Good news for you. It has been shown that simply top dressing soil with compost helps retain the mycorrhizal fungi nets that assist plant roots. It may actually be the most effective way to assist the plants you already have around your house.

Whether you are trying to grow award winning tomatoes or simply want to help the environment around your own home, composting is the thing for you. You will also contribute to the health of the general community in which you live and cut the amount of pollutants that go into the atmosphere from the wastes you’ve generated. Thanks in advance!

http://www.ars.usda.gov US Dept. of Agriculture website

http://www.ghgonline.org/index.htm a green house gas (GHG) website

http://www.epa.gov/ US Environmental Protection Agency website

http://www.globalchange.gov/ the US Govt. website for Fed. Research on Climate and Global Change

Rotline Question of the Week: If it is cold outside, will my compost bin still heat up?

It is a common misconception that a compost pile heats up because of the sun. Sure, if it is hot outside, the pile will be warmer than if it is cold outside, but the sun is not what causes a compost pile to hit the triple digits.

Thermophilic microbes are happily munching away in this 150 degree F compost pile

The microorganisms residing inside of the compost pile are what cause the increase in

temperature.

• Psychrophiles arrive during the first stage of decomposition. They exist in the pile mainly between 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The psychrophiles start to digest the material and release carbon dioxide, water and heat. This heat causes the pile’s temperature rise whichattracts the mesophiles.
• Mesophiles thrive between 70 and 90 degrees F.  The majority of the decomposition in your pile is performed by these microorganisms.
• Thermophiles will be found in your compost pile when the temperature rises above 104 degrees F. These temperatures will kill off almost all harmful organisms and weed seeds that may reside in your pile.

If a compost pile rises in temperature, it is an indication that the composting process is going well. When the thermophiles run out of things to eat, the temperature will steadily drop. This is a good time to turn your bin, add water, and add more nitrogen-rich green material into the center of your pile. The addition of material that is nitrogen rich, like coffee, manure, or fresh cut grass, will heat your pile right back up as the thermophiles go to work.

Compost thermometers are great ways to tell which stage of decomposition your compost pile is at. These can be purchased at the Solana Center for $20.

“Rotline Question” of the Week: Composting Pumpkins?

It is pumpkin season, but now that you don’t need your carefully carved pumpkin any more, don’t throw it away! Pumpkin is a great addition to both your compost and worm bin!

To add pumpkin to either bin, it is important that it is broken down into smaller pieces. Chop, cut, or saw the pumpkin into smaller pieces. If some neighborhood hooligan has already smashed your pumpkin, they saved you some work!

In the compost bin:

Pumpkin is a “green.” It is very high in nitrogen. Make sure to bury the pumpkin or follow the addition of the pumpkin with a layer of browns to detract pests. It is important that the pumpkin is cut into smaller pieces. If a whole pumpkin is put into a compost bin, it will take a lot longer to compost. Also, next time the bin is turned, you’ll inevitably get the whole pumpkin stuck on the pitchfork (and who wants to resurrect a partially decomposed pumpkin on a pitchfork?).

In the worm bin:

Worms will love the variety of pumpkin in their diet. Remember – worms have small mouths so it will take them a long time to work through a giant chunk of pumpkin. Smaller pieces will disappear from the worm bin more quickly. If you want to give the worms a special treat, blend the pumpkin into a slurry, pour it into your bin, and then cover with bedding. The worms will go crazy over this easily eaten treat!

“Rotline” Question of the Week: Where can I see a compost bin in action?

The Solana Center cares for a number of Compost Demonstration Sites throughout San Diego County. These sites are maintained by Master Composters and feature many different types of bins.

The Solana Center Compost Demonstration Site

Encinitas

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 – 4 p.m.

San Diego Botanic Garden

San Diego

San Diego Zoo

East County

Summers Past Farms

Water Conservation Garden

Crestridge Ecological Reserve

Free Manure Management Workshop!

Manure is a valuable resource – don’t trash it, compost it!

During this free workshop learn about:

• Manure management and composting basics
• The benefits of composting
• Applying compost to gardens and landscapes
• Land use regulations
• Protecting local water sources

Saturday, November 7th

1:00 – 3:00 pm

Lakeside Polo Club

10631 Ashwood Street, Lakeside

Pre registration required. Please register online at www.solanacenter.org or by phone 760-436-7986×222

This workshop is funded by the County of San Diego Watershed Department.

“Rotline” Question of the Week: How often should I turn my pile?

It really depends on how fast you want things to break down. The more you turn your pile, the more air it gets and the faster materials can be broken down by microorganisms. You do not have to turn your pile for the materials to break down. It will just take longer.

Turning your pile everyday is not necessary. Just be sure that if you are adding materials regularly that they are always buried in the center of the pile. Many of our Master Composters turn their piles once every week or once every other week. Do what works best for you and your need for the finished compost.

Turning your pile is a great time to add new material and moisture.

“Rotline” Question of the Week: What should I do with my compost bin while I’m on vacation?

Make sure your worms are safe from any extreme conditions that may occur while you are gone (hot/cold temperatures, etc.)

With holiday season approaching, we have received a lot of questions about what to do with your compost bin while on vacation. No need to hire a compost bin sitter!

If you have a backyard composting bin (Biostack, tumbler, etc.) your bin will be fine while you are away on a trip. Your bin will continue to decompose on its own. You may find when you return that the temperature dropped and the bin is dry but this can be fixed very easily. Just turn your bin, add water, greens and browns and your pile should heat up once again.

If you have a  vermicomposting bin (WrigglyWranch, etc.) your bin should be able to manage on its own for an extended amount of time. The most important thing to keep in mind is the possibility of extreme temperatures. Be sure that your worms will be safe from any extreme temperatures that may occur while you are gone (heat waves, etc.). Make sure  you leave your bin with plenty of moisture.

If you just started your bin, make sure you leave plenty of food and bedding to keep your bin going. If your bin is nearing harvest and has lots of vermicompost, less food is necessary. The worms will continue to process the vermicompost while you are gone. Our Master Composters suggest adding carbon rich bedding and coffee grounds or vegetables that take longer to break down (carrots, brocoli, etc.).

Missed the September Composter Quarterly Newsletter?

The September Composter Quarterly Newsletter is available online! This edition features information about the next Master Composter Course, the Solana Center’s newest worm bin, and information about upcoming events and workshops. To view this edition click here or visit the Composting 101 page for an archive of the Composter Quarterly Newsletter.

In this edition: The next Master Composter Course starts September 30th! Click here to read more!

Don’t miss the next edition!

Click here to sign up to receive the Solana Center Composter Quarterly Newsletter!

Rotline Question of the Week: Can you have too many greens in your compost pile?

If you put too much "green" material in your bin, it will not heat up and it will become malodorous.

Sometimes, composters find themselves lacking in browns (carbon rich materials like straw, mulch, shredded paper, etc.) and having a surplus of greens (nitrogen rich materials like kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, freshly cut grass, etc.). But is it bad to have too many greens? What happens if you have too many greens in your compost bin?

You will probably be able to smell your compost bin if you have too many greens. Your compost pile will get slimy and start to smell as the green material begins to putrefy. In addition to the malodorous quality of the bin, the compost pile will probably not heat up because it will not have the correct carbon to nitrogen ratio. The preferred carbon to nitrogen ratio is 30:1. This equates to about 50% of both green and browns by volume.

Composting in India

By Pete Ash, Master Composter

Pete supervises as greens are added to a compost pile

It all happened by mistake. Or did it? At this point I don’t really know. Many would say it was no accident, but in a way, it was. It all started a year ago when I decided to come to India to study Biodynamic Agriculture.

I had just completed a couple of intensive trainings in Biodynamics at ISKON Farms just outside Mysore in South India when I fell off a motorcycle and broke my shoulder. I had planned on staying in India for another two months to practice what I had just learned when the accident happened. There was nothing left to do but come home early.

1 pile is made every day at the ashram.

I couldn’t get a flight home for another three weeks so I decided to go over to the coast and lay low. The day before leaving Mysore, I met a young Westerner at breakfast that had just arrived from Amma’s ashram in Amritapuri, a small fishing village amidst the coconut groves along the Kerala coast. I didn’t know anything about Amma, “the hugging saint,” nor did my breakfast companion explain. That night I took the bus, arrived the following morning and checked into the ashram. As part of one’s stay at the ashram, one is expected to do a couple hours of “seva,” or service. I was told that because of my shoulder, I wasn’t expected to do anything, but when I saw the ashram’s Eco Department and gardens I thought I could at least pull a few weeds and do some watering.

Pete adds water to a compost pile.

When it got out that I was an experienced farmer and gardener, taught composting and organic gardening workshops—and was indeed a Master Composter—well, I got hooked in. Amma, who travels the world giving hugs and spreading her message of love, also preaches the need for making a “Greener” world (see www.amritapuri.org/). In no time, I was teaching composting workshops and giving lectures in organic farming and gardening, both at the ashram and also in Amma’s colleges attached to the ashram. By the time I returned to California in late January of this year I had helped Amma’s Engineering College start an organic garden (see http://www.amrita.edu/news2009/events-news/e-april/earth-day-amritapuri-organic-garden.php). The students had formed a “Green Friends” club following our composting workshop. By the end of June, I had lectured and composted with Amma’s Ayurveda College in Amritapuri, where the students also formed a Green Friends club and started their own organic garden. I have also been to Amma’s ashram in Mumbai where I lectured and composted with the Ayudh International group there (see http://www.ayudh.eu/2009/mumbai-organic-farming-workshop/).

The interior temperature of the piles are checked with sticks.

But my real “seva” has been the composting project here at the ashram in Amritapuri. By the end of my first trip in January of this year, I discovered that the ashram had been dumping the food waste (about 750 to 1000 kilos per day) into the backwaters. It was hard to believe. As it turned out, there had been several attempts in the past to compost the food waste but each time it had failed, creating terrible smells and attracting rats and crows, and upsetting the neighbors to no end. I couldn’t bear the thought of all that waste being thrown into the backwaters. I decided then that I would return and start a composting program.

I made my second trip to India in the last week of April. By the first week of May, we began composting, making a new pile each day. Today is August 25^th and this is my third time to the ashram. We just finished making compost pile #106. It has been a lot of hard work, we’ve faced many challenges, but it has been very rewarding and so much fun.

Pete with friends at the ashram.

Pete Ash has been a Master Composter since 2007 but has been composting for many years. He is highly involved with the Master Composter program; instructing workshops, up keeping demonstration sites, instructing the Master Composter Course, and answering Rotline questions. Pete will be instructing the Master Composter Course this fall in Encinitas. To learn more about the Master Composter course, please visit the Solana Center Website. If you would like to ask Pete any questions about his work and experiences in India, please email Carlie (carlie@solanacenter.org)  and she will forward your question onto Pete.