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.
The microorganisms residing inside of the compost pile are [...]

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“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 [...]

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

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 [...]

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

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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“Rotline” Question of the Week: Do I need to sift my compost?

Sifting or screening compost helps remove sticks and other materials that have not broken down. These materials are often rich in carbon which can drain the nitrogen from your plants if added directly. Sifted or screened compost is also less  bulky and makes it easier to combine with other amendments in customized potting mixes. In [...]

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“Rotline” Question of the Week: Why do my worm castings look different than commercial castings?

Problem: My castings are very wet and when left to dry out they solidify into cement hard pellets. Why aren’t my castings dry and fluffy like commercial castings?
Answer: Commercial worm castings are coming mainly from windrow operations which are usually being feed manure. There is a certain amount of fiber in [...]

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“Rotline” Question of the Week: How do I start composting?

This is a very common question. The best way to get started is to attend a Free Composting Workshop. Workshops include information about choosing a bin, how to get started, and how to maintain compost bins and worm bins.
One thing to consider when getting started is what type of material you have on hand. If [...]

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“Rotline” Question of the Week: What are the pros and cons of tumblers, stackable bins, and compost heaps?

Composting will become one of your favorite hobbies if you take the time to personalize the way you interact with your compost. With this in mind, different people will appreciate different methods of maintaining their compost piles. Many new composters have called in asking what sort of compost pile they should build for [...]

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“Rotline” Question of the Week: How can I harvest castings from my worm bin?

There are a number of ways to harvest castings from your worm bin from adding another tier to dumping the contents on plastic in the sun. Some of our  Master Composters even recommend adding some melon that the worms will migrate to. Depending on the type of bin you have, you may find some methods [...]

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“Rotline” Question of the Week: How can I improve the quality of my compost?

Does your compost pile smell, even though you know it shouldn’t? Is your compost not turning quickly in spite of your close watch and care? A simple yet frequent cause of both problems is that the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) in your compost is not ideal, which can hinder proper digestion and [...]

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