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 [...]
Posts Tagged ‘compost’
Why should I compost? I’m not growing vegetables.
Posted in Master Composters, tagged alternate daily cover, anaerobic, biodegrad, carbon dioxide, carbon sequestration, compost, Composting, decay, decomposition, food scraps, garden compost, gardening, green house gases, greens, healthy soil, home composting, landfill, Master Composters, methane, moisture, organic material, pollution, runoff, soil, soil amendments, Solana Center, sustainability, vermicomposting, waste, water conservation, water retention, yard clippings on November 18, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Rotline Question of the Week: If it is cold outside, will my compost bin still heat up?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged "Rotline" Question of the Week, compost, compost bins, Composting, decomposition, greens, Heat, hot composting, mesophiles, microorganisms, nitrogen, psychrophiles, Temperature, thermophiles on November 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
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.
The microorganisms residing inside of the compost pile are [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Where can I see a compost bin in action?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged bins, compost, Composting, Crestridge Ecological Reserve, demonstration site, San Diego Botanic Garden, San Diego Zoo, Solana Center, Summer's Past Farms, Water Conservation Garden, worm bin, worms on October 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
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.
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
“Rotline” Question of the Week: How often should I turn my pile?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged aeration, air, backyard bins, Biostack, compost, Composting, how often, Master Composters, moisture, Solana Center, turning bins, water on September 30, 2009 | 1 Comment »
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 [...]
Rotline Question of the Week: Can you have too many greens in your compost pile?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged "Rotline", "Rotline" Question of the Week, browns, carbon, carbon to nitrogen ratio, compost, compost bins, Composting, food scraps, greens, Heat, nitrogen, odor, Temperature on September 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
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?
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Composting in India
Posted in General, tagged compost, Composting, food scraps, Master Composters, Temperature on August 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
By Pete Ash, Master Composter
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 [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Where can I buy worms in San Diego?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged compost, Composting, gardening, red wigglers, red worms, san diego, soil amendments, Solana Center, vermicompost, vermicomposting, where to buy worms, worms on August 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The City of San Diego provides a convenient list of recommended locations to purchase worms. If you are starting a Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin, you will need about 1 lb. of worms. The type of worms you need are “red wigglers” or “red worms” (eisenia foetida). If you have any questions about getting started call the [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Is hay or straw best for my compost?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged aeration, browns, carbon, compost, compost bins, Composting, greens, hay, Heat, Master Composters, nitrogen, soil amendments, straw, Temperature, weeds on August 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Hay is considered a nitrogen source, or a green, and can be added to your compost bin. Because hay often has weed seeds in it, make sure that your bin is reaching a hot temperature, 100 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are passively composting and not achieving high temperatures, you can bag the hay [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: How can I make my own compost bin?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged bins, compost, Composting, fertilizer, homemade, recycling, Smith & Hawken Biostack, soil amendments, Solana Center, stackable wood bin, wire mesh bin, wooden pallet bin on July 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here are a couple of designs we recommend:
Stackable wood bin: minimal carpentry skills needed, can use recycled lumber (as long as it is not treated)
Wooden pallet bin: all you need are four wooden pallets, bolts, and latches and you’re on your way
Wire mesh bin: easy to make and inexpensive
Homemade designs often do not include lids [...]
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