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 ‘Master Composters’
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: 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 [...]
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: 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: What is the best way to harvest my worm bin?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged compost, finished compost, harvesting, Master Composters, organic fertilizer, organic gardening, redworms, Solana Center, vermicomposting, water conservation, worm bins, worms on July 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The best method of harvesting varies depending on the type of bin you are using. Some bins, such as the Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin, are designed with two tiers so the worms climb to the next level. This tends to work really well but for bins without an extra tier or for bins with worms [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Where can I get more browns?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged browns, carbon to nitrogen ratio, chippers, compost bins, Composting, greens, hay, Master Composters, mulch, shredders, straw, yard trimmings on June 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Greens, or nitrogen-rich materials, are often easy to come by. When using an outdoor compost bin, many people have trouble locating enough browns to maintain an appropriate nitrogen to carbon ratio. Here are some suggestions from one our Master Composters for locating some local browns for your pile.
Yard trimmings: dried leaves, wood chips, dried plant [...]
Free Composting Workshop in Encinitas this Saturday
Posted in Composting Workshops and Events, tagged backyard composting, compost, compost bins, Diane Hollister, Encinitas, food scraps, free workshops, gardening, Master Composters, Quail Botanical, Solana Center, vermicomposting, worms, yard trimmings on May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t miss this free composting workshop this Saturday. The workshop, instructed by Master Composter Diane Hollister, will cover the basics of backyard composting and vermicomposting. Learn how to turn your food scraps and yard trimmings into a rich soil amendment for your garden! Workshop is sponsored by the City of Encinitas and provided by the [...]
Earth Fair Diversion Rates
Posted in General, tagged Composting, diversion, Earth Fair, landfill, Master Composters, recycle, recycling, redesign, reduce, regulate, repair, reuse, rot, Solana Center on April 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
On April 19th, 2009 the largest free annual environmental fair in the world was held in Balboa Park in San Diego. “R” Stations were set up around the park to demonstrate the 7 R’s: recycle, reduce, reuse, rot, repair, redesign, and regulate. Recycling, composting, trash bins were placed throughout the park and were staffed by [...]
Gardening with Class
Posted in General, tagged Composting, Composting for kids!, Gardening with Class, Master Composters, nutrition, san diego, school gardens, Solana Center, vermicomposting on April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The TENTH Annual San Diego Regional School Garden and Nutrition Conference, “Gardening with Class”, will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The conference is geared toward teachers and administrators who have or would like to start a school garden program. Workshops will cover a [...]
Free Composting Consultations!
Posted in Composting Workshops and Events, tagged compost, compost bins, Composting, El Cajon, Master Composters, vermicomposting, Water Conservation Garden, Water Smart Plant Fair, worms on March 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Speak with a Master Composter and have all of your composting questions answered! Master Composters will be offering free composting consultations and demonstrations in the Compost Demonstration Area at the Water Conservation Garden this Saturday, March 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Water Smart Plant Fair. A limited number of compost bins [...]
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