Paper provides a carbon source for your compost bin. Many kinds of paper can be added to your compost bin, even those with colored ink. The secret to using paper successfully is to shred or chop it and then moisten it before adding it to your bin. It is also helpful to alternate layers of [...]
Posts Tagged ‘moisture’
“Rotline” Question of the Week: What kinds of paper can be composted?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged "Rotline" Question of the Week, carbon, compost, compost bin, gardening, greens and browns, moisture, paper, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, sustainability, waste reduction on December 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
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 »
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 [...]
“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 | 2 Comments »
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: What should I do with my compost bin while I’m on vacation?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged "Rotline" Question of the Week, browns, compost bin, compost bin sitter, decomposition, greens, Heat, moisture, new worm bin, red wigglers, red worms, Solana Center, vacation, vermicomposting, worms on September 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
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 [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Do I need a thermometer to compost?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged "Rotline", carbon to nitrogen ratio, compost bins, compost piles, compost thermometers, Composting, diseased plants, Heat, microbes, moisture, pile size, Solana Center, Temperature, thermophilic bacteria on June 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
You can definitely compost without a thermometer, but thermometers do make composting a bit easier. Thermometers can help you know when to turn your pile, when to add more material, when to add water, and when your compost is finished. Many composters also enjoy the satisfaction of seeing just how hot their pile can get!
Optimal [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: Where should I keep my compost bin?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged bins, compost, Composting, Heat, location, moisture, shade, thermophilic bacteria on May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The best place to keep your bin is in a shaded location. There is a common misconception that the sun causes the contents inside the bin to heat up but it is actually the thermophilic bacteria creating heat as they decompose the material. Keeping your bin in shaded location will help maintain the bin’s moisture. [...]
“Rotline” Question of the Week: What are these white worms in my worm bin?
Posted in "Rotline" Question of the Week, tagged compost, vermicomposting, worm bins, vermicompost, pot worms, small white worms, acidity, moisture on May 12, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Sometimes mistaken as baby red worms these worms are commonly called “pot worms”. These small white worms often found in worm bins are not harmful to you or your red wigglers. They are part of the eco- system of your bin and eat decaying matter just like your red wigglers.
If you are inclined to reduce [...]
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