Composting: A timetable Everyone knows that composting your fruit and vegetable scraps and other biological material is much better than sending those scraps to the city dump, where they would turn into methane gas. But one thing people usually don't consider when starting a compost pile is how long it will take to turn into ripe compost. Here is a simple guide to give you an idea of how long it will take, using different composting methods. Hot Turn: 20 Days Hot turn piles are the most labor intensive and have more demanding basic requirements, but they produce finished compost much faster than other methods. Your compost pile must measure at least 3'x3' and have the proper proportions of carbon to nitrogen (brown stuff to green stuff, which should be about 30:1), and whatever material has gone into your pile should be broken or chopped into 1” pieces. Slow No Turn: 3-12 Months Worm Bin: 1-3 Months Black Soldier Fly: 3 Weeks Black soldier fly larvae are gaining popularity.
Building a Two-Can Bioreactor Purpose Two-can bioreactors are designed to be used as small-scall indoor composting units for families, and for composting as an educational tool in the classroom. Materials 32-gallon plastic garbage can 20-gallon plastic garbage can drill brick spigot (optional) duct tape (optional) insulation (optional) Construction Using a drill, make 15 to 20 holes (0.5" to 1" diameter) through the bottom of the 20-gallon can. Note: A system of 10-gallon plastic garbage cans that can fit inside 20-gallon cans can be substituted if space is a problem. The composting process in the cans will take from three to five weeks. Credits
30 Unexpected and Unusual Things You Can Compost | Green Composting isn't just for food, silly! You'll be surprised at all the strange, random junk you can toss in the compost bucket. Don't draw the line at peach pits and coffee grounds - start chucking the following items into that bucket and watch your garbage bill go down while you create top-drawer dirt (and help the planet, of course). 1. Bills - because somehow it's a lot more satisfying shoving bills in with melon rinds and egg shells than the recycle bin. 2. 3. magazines 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. cereal boxes 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. matches 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. It may seem like weird science, but all of the above objects are fully compostable. Sources: Cheap Like Me, Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano ALSO CHECK OUT: 5 Steps for Better Recycling10 Bearable Alternatives to Indoor Composting12 Clever Ways to Reuse Coffee Grounds10 Things You Can't Recycle Images: johndan, theseanster93, pawpaw67, laszlo-photo
Compost in 18 Days - Iceweasel Compost in 18 Days: The Berkley MethodBy Douglas Barnes We all know that compost is an excellent fertilizer for plants. It is also a sensible way to deal with organic wastes. In my climate, one can construct compost bins and dump his or her organic material in and, after two years time, finished compost is ready to go. Seriously, two years? Image by Scott A. Lovely things bacteria. So you’ve guessed by now that we are going to partner with these little bacteria to create our compost. Again, you don’t need a scale. When I was a boy, I was not too good at cutting meat, particularly steak. Mix up your material – a pitchfork can really help you here. With the mixing done and the watering right, set a tarp over the pile and leave it 4 days. A pile near completion. On the sixth day, take the tarp off and stick your arm in the pile. After day 6, turn the pile every 2 days, checking the water content as you go and putting the tarp back over the top each time. Troubleshooting Does it smell bad?
Butler SWCD: Pond advice What information is available regarding pond construction and maintenance? The Butler SWCD has a wide variety of fact sheets and other publications which focus on different aspects of pond construction, wildlife, fish, and plant life. Stop in and ask to see the "Pond Reference Guide". Some of the items on our "suggested reading" list include, but are certainly not limited to those listed below. Ponds: For Work or Play- includes pond types, spillway requirements, design suggestions, construction hints, site selection tips, sealing and safety. Guide to Aquatic Weed Control- calculations for surface area and acre foot, chemicals and safety Pond Stocking- species and number/acre, some fish propagators Sealing Leaking Ponds and Reservoirs- techniques, bentonite info, chemical additives, membranes Pond Clinics Two programs are held each spring to provide information about a variety of pond issues; management, stocking, weeds, wildlife, etc. Yes, but scheduling is tight.
Hot Compost – Composting in 18 Days « Deep Green Permaculture - Iceweasel Regular composting, also known as “cold composting”, involves placing a variety of organic materials in a compost bin, enclosure, or even just in a large heap, and leaving it there until it breaks down several months later. It’s a very slow process and typically takes 6 to 12 months. It can be sped up by turning the compost, that is, moving around the material at the bottom of the heap to the top and vice versa to mix it up and get more oxygen in there, but it’s still a long wait. The other approach to composting is “hot composting”, which produces compost in a much shorter time. It has the benefits of killing weed seeds and pathogens (diseases), and breaking down the material into very fine compost. In contrast, cold composting does not destroy seeds, so if you cold compost weeds, any weed seeds will grow when you put the compost into the garden. The requirements for hot composting using the Berkley method are as follows: Composting Materials and the Carbon-Nitrogen Balance Like this:
Rain barrels: Butler SWCD Rain barrels, considered by many as outdated technology, are on the comeback. Sure, they are old fashioned. In fact, collecting rainwater for use in barrels or other containers is an ancient practice. Historical records show that they have been used in Thailand as far back as 2,000 years ago. Residential water use typically increases 40 to 50 % during summer months due to outdoor water use. To keep your rain barrel safe, make sure it has either a small enough opening that a child cannot fall in, or a safety strip reducing the size of the opening. Where Can I Get A Rain Barrel? Rain barrels are becoming more popular, and so there are many sources: Butler SWCD sells rain barrels through a partnership with the Butler County Storm Water District. Check with your local garden center or stores such as Tractor Supply, Home Depot, and Lowes as they sometimes have rain barrels for sale. Build Your Own Rain Barrel Tools: 7/8" spade drill bit Electric jigsaw Electric drill Utility knife Marker Hack saw
Composting 101 - How to Make Compost Welcome to COMPOSTING 101, Planet Natural’s go-to guide for making nature’s most rewarding soil amendment. Time or money invested in your garden’s soil always brings the best returns: healthy, vigorous plants and great harvests. And when you keep yard waste and kitchen scraps from the landfill you’re doubly rewarded. You can buy ready-made, organic compost to get a jump start. But it’s easy and inexpensive to make your own with the right materials and good equipment. Here you’ll find all you need to know about getting started as well as maintaining the process no matter which composting method you’ve chosen. Want to learn even more about composting? 3 Essential Elements for Perfect Compost It’s time to let you in on a little secret: soil building done like this is the perfect lazy person’s gardening project. 1. Compost bins are of two types, stationary and rotating. When using the stationary bin method, locate the pile in a sunny location so that it has as much heat as possible. 2. 3.
Rain Gardens: Butler SWCD A rain garden is a planted depression in your yard that captures rainwater from roofs, driveways and walkways where rain water cannot be absorbed by the ground. The rain garden reduces runoff by allowing rainwater to slowly soak into the ground instead of flowing to storm drains and creeks. This reduces erosion, water pollution and flooding. A rain garden is not a pond, but more of an earthen sponge that soaks up runoff in a matter of hours. The garden is dry most of the time. Rain gardens usually are filled with native plants. Remember before you dig to call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) at 1-800-362-2764 to find out if there are any buried pipes or lines. "How To" Guide The Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Rain Garden Alliance, has information on rain gardens, typical plants, and a how to guide on their website. Visit Local Rain Gardens
163 Things You Can Compost A young boy and his father were walking along a beach, when suddenly they came upon thousands of starfish left stranded on the sand by the receding tide. The young boy leaned over, picked up a starfish and tossed it, like a Frisbee, back into the ocean. Then he picked up another one, and carried it to the water's edge. "Son, what are you doing? "I guess not. The youngster believed that even when the situation seemed hopeless, he could do his part. Every year, tons of organic materials are thrown away, needlessly filling up landfills. Compost is not limited to tossing leaves and grass clippings into a pile. If you see something I've missed, send me an email so I can add it to the list. More "compostable" reading: The World's Fastest Compost How to Compost Dog Waste Manure Matters: How different manures rate What about urine?
Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment - Mary Appelhof, Mary Frances Fenton, Barbara Loss Harris Xeriscape Red Worm Composting