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Counter Top Composting Machines

June 5, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

Have you seen those counter top composting machines advertised? They are supposed to reduce your vegetable scraps and coffee grinds down to usable dirt for your garden.

I enjoyed Helen Rosner’s New Yorker article about the promises of such machines.

I thought I would share it with you.

Click here to read the article.

Filed Under: Compost, Soil Making News

What about a composting barn?

June 5, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

This farmer in New Zealand is trying one out to keep his herd warm in the winter months.

Read more here

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018892833/composting-barn-better-for-cows-and-land-says-karamea-farmer

Filed Under: Compost, Soil Making News

Worm Composting with Red Wiggler Worms

April 7, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

Introduction

Worm composting, also known as vermicomposting, is a simple and effective way to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. By using red wiggler worms, you can speed up the composting process and produce high-quality compost and vermicompost that is rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients.

Benefits of Worm Composting

There are several benefits to worm composting, including:

  • Reducing food waste: Worms can consume up to half their weight in food each day, making them an efficient way to reduce food waste.
  • Producing high-quality compost: Worm castings, or vermicompost, are rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that can help improve soil health and plant growth.
  • Saving money: By producing your own compost, you can save money on fertilizers and soil amendments.
  • Reducing environmental impact: Worm composting diverts organic waste from landfills, where it would produce methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.

Why use red wiggler worms for composting?

Red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) are the most commonly used species for vermicomposting. They are small, easy to handle, and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and moisture levels. Additionally, they have a voracious appetite and can consume a variety of organic materials, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and shredded paper.

Red Wiggler Worm

Getting Started with Worm Composting

Before you start worm composting, you will need to gather some materials and set up a container for your worms.

Materials needed

  • A container: You can use a plastic bin, wooden crate, or other container that is at least 8-12 inches deep and has a tight-fitting lid.
  • Bedding material: This can include shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir, or other materials that are high in carbon.
  • Red wiggler worms: You can purchase these online or from a local supplier.
  • Food scraps: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and eggshells are all good choices.

Selecting a container

When choosing a container for your worm composting system, keep in mind that it should be large enough to accommodate the amount of waste you generate, but small enough to fit in a convenient location. A 10-gallon bin is a good size for most households.

Choosing the right location

Your worm composting system should be kept indoors or in a protected area outside, such as a covered porch or garage. Avoid placing your container in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Preparing Your Container for Worms

Once you have your container, you will need to prepare it for your worms.

Adding bedding material

Start by adding a layer of bedding material to the bottom of your container. This will provide a comfortable home for your worms and help absorb excess moisture. Shredded newspaper or cardboard works well for this.

Moistening the bedding

Next, moisten the bedding with water until it feels like a damp sponge. Be careful not to overwater, as too much moisture can drown your worms.

Adding food scraps

Add a small amount of food scraps to the top of the bedding. Start with just a handful at first, and gradually increase the amount as your worm population grows. Cover the food scraps with another layer of bedding material.

Introducing Red Wiggler Worms to Your Container

Once your container is set up, you can introduce your red wiggler worms.

How many worms do you need?

A general rule of thumb is to start with one pound of worms for every square foot of surface area in your container. For a 10-gallon bin, you will need about 1,000 worms.

How to properly introduce the worms

To introduce your worms, simply place them on top of the bedding material and cover them with another layer of bedding. Be sure to keep the lid on your container to prevent the worms from escaping.

Tips for maintaining a healthy worm population

  • Feed your worms regularly: Red wiggler worms can consume up to half their weight in food each day, so be sure to feed them regularly.
  • Monitor moisture levels: Your bedding should be moist but not waterlogged. If it feels too dry, mist it with water. If it feels too wet, add more bedding material.
  • Avoid adding certain foods: Meat, dairy products, and oily foods should be avoided, as they can attract pests and cause unpleasant odors.
  • Harvest compost regularly: To avoid overcrowding and ensure a consistent supply of compost, harvest it from the bottom of your bin every few months.

Maintaining Your Worm Composting System

Once your worms are established in your composting system, there are a few things you should do to maintain their health and ensure they continue to produce high-quality compost.: To avoid overcrowding and ensure a consistent supply of compost, harvest it from the bottom of your bin every few months.

Feeding your worms

In addition to fruit and vegetable scraps, red wiggler worms can also eat coffee grounds, tea leaves, eggshells, and some types of paper. Avoid feeding them meat, dairy products, or oily foods, as these can cause unpleasant odors and attract pests.

Monitoring moisture levels

Your bedding should be moist but not waterlogged. If it feels too dry, mist it with water. If it feels too wet, add more bedding material. You can also add a layer of dry newspaper or cardboard on top of the bedding to help absorb excess moisture.

Harvesting compost and vermicompost

To harvest compost from your worm bin, simply remove the top layer of bedding and set it aside. Scoop out the compost from the bottom of the bin and use it in your garden. The remaining material, known as vermicompost, can be spread on top of your soil or used to brew compost tea.

Common problems and how to troubleshoot

There are a few common problems that can occur when worm composting, such as foul odors or pests. If you notice a bad smell, check that your bin is not too wet and that you are not overfeeding your worms. To prevent pests, avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to your bin, and make sure the lid is securely fastened.

Benefits and Uses of Worm Compost and Vermicompost

Worm compost, also known as castings, is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that is ideal for organic gardening. It contains beneficial microorganisms and nutrients that can help improve soil health and plant growth. As it is odor-free and non-toxic, it can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

Nutrient content of worm compost

Worm compost is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

How to use worm compost

Worm compost can be used as a top dressing for plants, mixed into potting soil, or added to garden beds. It can also be used to make compost tea, a nutrient-rich liquid that can be sprayed on plants as a foliar feed.

Benefits of vermicompost tea

Vermicompost tea is made by steeping vermicompost in water and allowing it to brew for several days. It can be used as a foliar spray or soil drench to provide plants with a boost of nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Regular use of vermicompost tea can help improve soil health, increase plant growth, and reduce pest and disease problems.

Conclusion

Worm composting with red wiggler worms is an easy and effective way to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. By following these simple steps, you can create a healthy and productive worm composting system that will benefit both your garden and the environment.

FAQs

Can I use any type of worm for composting?

No, not all types of worms are suitable for composting. Red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) are the most commonly used species for vermicomposting.

How long do I get support? How often do I need to feed my worms?

Red wiggler worms can consume up to half their weight in food each day, so be sure to feed them regularly.

What should I do if my worm bin smells bad?

If you notice a bad smell, check that your bin is not too wet and that you are not overfeeding your worms. To prevent pests, avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to your bin, and make sure the lid is securely fastened.

Can I add meat or dairy products to my worm bin?

No, meat and dairy products should be avoided, as they can attract pests and cause unpleasant odors.

How long does it take to get usable compost from a worm bin?

Compost can be harvested from the bottom of your bin every few months. The amount of time it takes to produce usable compost will depend on factors such as the size of your bin, the amount of food you feed your worms, and the temperature and humidity levels in your environment.

Filed Under: Compost, Vermicompost

Tools Needed To Create Healthy Compost

April 7, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

The Right Tool For The Right Job

Creating healthy compost is an essential part of gardening. It’s a natural way to enrich your soil, which in turn promotes plant growth and helps reduce waste. However, creating quality compost requires the right tools and techniques. In this blog post, we will discuss the tools and their uses to create healthy compost.

  1. Compost Bin: A compost bin is the most crucial tool for creating compost. It provides an enclosed space for composting, which helps control the temperature, moisture, and airflow. Compost bins come in various sizes, materials, and shapes, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
  2. Pitchfork: A pitchfork is a must-have tool for turning your compost. It helps to aerate the compost and mix the ingredients, which helps speed up the decomposition process. A pitchfork with long tines is best for turning large amounts of compost, while a shorter one is suitable for smaller quantities.
  3. Shredder: A shredder is an optional but useful tool for composting. It helps break down large pieces of organic material into smaller pieces, which helps speed up the decomposition process. A shredder is particularly useful for shredding woody material like branches or twigs.
  4. Moisture Meter: A moisture meter is an essential tool for monitoring the moisture level of your compost. It helps ensure that your compost isn’t too dry or too wet, which can affect the decomposition process. A moisture meter can also help you adjust the moisture level of your compost to maintain the ideal conditions for composting.
  5. Thermometer: A thermometer is an excellent tool for monitoring the temperature of your compost. It helps ensure that your compost is heating up to the ideal temperature range of 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit, which helps kill off pathogens and weed seeds. A thermometer can also help you adjust the composting conditions if the temperature is too high or too low.
  6. Compost Turner: A compost turner is a tool that helps you turn your compost easily without the need for a pitchfork. It’s a convenient tool for those with limited mobility or those who want to avoid getting their hands dirty. Compost turners come in various designs, including hand-cranked, electric, or battery-operated.

Creating healthy compost requires the right tools and techniques. A compost bin, pitchfork, shredder, moisture meter, thermometer, and compost turner are all essential tools for creating quality compost. By using these tools correctly, you can create nutrient-rich compost that will help promote healthy plant growth and reduce waste in your garden.

That's Great But What If You're On A Budget

If you’re on a budget, don’t worry; you don’t need fancy tools to create healthy compost. Here are some basic tools that you can use to get started:

  1. Build a Compost Bin: You can create a simple compost bin using pallets, wire mesh, or even an old trash can. This will provide an enclosed space for composting and help control the temperature, moisture, and airflow.
  2. Pitchfork: You can use a basic garden fork or even a shovel to turn your compost. It may not be as efficient as a pitchfork, but it will get the job done. This is one tool that I say is necessary. You’ll be turning your compost piles regularly and why not make it a bit easier for yourself.
  3. Shredder: While a shredder is useful for breaking down large pieces of organic material, you can achieve similar results by chopping up material with a machete, shears, or even a kitchen knife. Or better yet, use your string trimmer to shred leaves. A string trimmer won’t break down twigs or branches but you can get a good start on leaves and other non-woody items.
  4. Moisture Meter: While a moisture meter is useful, you can monitor the moisture level of your compost by feeling the compost with your hand. If it feels too dry, add water, and if it feels too wet, add dry material like leaves or shredded paper.
  5. Thermometer: While a thermometer is useful for monitoring the temperature of your compost, you can gauge the temperature by feeling the compost with your hand. If it feels warm to the touch, then the compost is heating up. 
  6. Compost Turner: While a compost turner is convenient, you can use a basic garden fork or shovel to turn your compost.

While fancy tools may be useful, you don’t need them to create healthy compost. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can create quality compost using basic tools. Just remember to monitor the temperature, moisture, and airflow of your compost to ensure that it’s decomposing properly.

What Happens If The Compost's Temperature, Moisture and Airflow Are Not Right?

If you don’t get compost to the right temperature, moisture, or airflow, the decomposition process can slow down or even stop altogether. This can result in the following problems:

  1. Slow decomposition: The microorganisms that break down organic matter in compost require the right conditions to thrive. If the temperature, moisture, or airflow is not optimal, the microorganisms may not be able to work efficiently, causing the compost to decompose slowly.
  2. Foul odor: If the compost is too wet, compacted, or lacking in oxygen, anaerobic bacteria may begin to grow, producing foul-smelling gases like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. These gases can be unpleasant and potentially harmful to human health.
  3. Attracting pests: Improperly maintained compost can attract pests like rodents and flies, which can be a nuisance in the garden. These pests can spread disease and cause damage to plants and structures.
  4. Nutrient loss: If the compost is too dry, the nutrients in the organic matter may not be able to break down properly, resulting in nutrient loss. This can reduce the overall quality of the compost and limit its benefits to the garden.

Getting compost to the right temperature, moisture, and airflow is essential for proper decomposition and to avoid unpleasant and potentially harmful outcomes. By monitoring these factors and adjusting them as necessary, you can create nutrient-rich compost that will help promote healthy plant growth and reduce waste in your garden.

Filed Under: Compost, Tools

Composting with a compost tumbler

March 25, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. While traditional composting can be a bit of a hassle, using a compost tumbler can make it much easier. In this article, we’ll go over the benefits of composting with a compost tumbler, how to use one, and some tips for getting the most out of your tumbler.

Raw matter for composting

What is a Compost Tumbler?

A compost tumbler is a drum-like container that rotates on a stand. The container has a door that can be opened to add organic materials, such as kitchen scraps and yard waste. The tumbler is designed to be turned regularly, which helps mix the materials and provide oxygen to the microbes that break down the organic matter. As the materials break down, they become compost, which can be used as a soil amendment.

Benefits of Composting with a Compost Tumbler

  • Faster Composting

    One of the main benefits of using a compost tumbler is that it can speed up the composting process. Because the materials are constantly mixed and aerated, they break down faster than they would in a stationary pile. This means you can have finished compost in as little as four to six weeks, depending on the materials you use.

  • Less Messy

    Composting can be a messy process, especially if you have a large pile of materials. A compost tumbler keeps the materials contained, so you don't have to worry about them spilling out or attracting pests. It also eliminates the need to turn the pile with a pitchfork or shovel, which can be a messy and time-consuming task.

  • Easier to Use

    Composting with a compost tumbler is much easier than traditional composting. You don't have to worry about manually turning the pile or adding water to keep it moist. All you have to do is turn the tumbler a few times a week to mix the materials and add air. This makes composting more accessible to people who may not have the time or physical ability to maintain a traditional compost pile.

  • Space-Saving

    Compost tumblers are compact and can be placed in a small space, such as a balcony or patio. This is great for people who live in apartments or have limited outdoor space. It also makes it easy to compost year-round, even in colder climates.

How to Use a Compost Tumbler

Using a compost tumbler is easy, but there are a few steps you need to follow to get the best results.

1

Add Organic Materials

The first step in using a compost tumbler is to add organic materials. This can include kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic matter. It's important to have a good mix of "green" materials, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, and "brown" materials, such as leaves and straw. The green materials provide nitrogen, while the brown materials provide carbon. This balance is important for creating high-quality compost.
2

Turn the Tumbler

Once you've added your organic materials, close the tumbler and start turning it. You should turn the tumbler at least once a week, but ideally, you'll want to turn it two to three times a week. This helps mix the materials and provides oxygen to the microbes that break down the organic matter. If the materials are dry, you can add a little water to help them break down more quickly.

3

Wait for the Compost to Mature

Depending on the materials you use and how often you turn the tumbler, your compost should be ready in four to six weeks. When it's ready, the compost should be dark, crumbly, and have an earthy smell.

4

Harvest the Compost

Once your compost is ready, it's time to harvest it. Most compost tumblers have a door or hatch at the bottom that allows you to easily remove the finished compost. Simply open the door and scoop out the compost with a shovel or trowel. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands.

5

Use the Compost

Now that you have harvested your compost, you can use it to enrich your soil. Spread a layer of compost over your garden beds or mix it into potting soil for container gardening. Compost adds valuable nutrients to the soil, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. It also helps improve soil structure, which can increase water retention and reduce erosion.

Tips for Composting with a Compost Tumbler

  1. Keep a Balance of Green and Brown Materials

To get the best results from your compost tumbler, it’s important to maintain a balance of green and brown materials. Green materials, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, provide nitrogen, while brown materials, such as leaves and straw, provide carbon. A good rule of thumb is to use two parts brown materials to one part green materials.

  1. Chop Up Large Materials

Large materials, such as branches and stalks, can take longer to break down in a compost tumbler. To speed up the process, it’s a good idea to chop them up into smaller pieces before adding them to the tumbler. You can use a pruning saw or a pair of loppers to do this.

  1. Avoid Adding Meat and Dairy

While most organic materials can be composted, it’s best to avoid adding meat and dairy products to your compost tumbler. These materials can attract pests and can also create a foul odor as they break down. Stick to vegetable and fruit scraps, leaves, and grass clippings.

  1. Add Compost Starter

To help jumpstart the composting process, you can add a compost starter to your tumbler. This is a mixture of beneficial microbes that can help break down the organic matter more quickly. You can buy compost starter at most garden centers or online.

  1. Keep the Tumbler Moist

Compost needs moisture to break down properly. If your materials are too dry, they will break down more slowly. If they are too wet, they can become compacted and anaerobic, which can create a foul odor. Aim for a moisture level similar to a wrung-out sponge.

Conclusion

Composting with a compost tumbler is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. By following these tips, you can ensure that you get the best results from your compost tumbler. Happy composting!
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Filed Under: Compost

Leaf Composting

January 15, 2023 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

There are several methods for composting tree leaves, including:

Methods Of Leaf Composting

  1. Cold Composting: This method involves piling up leaves in a corner of your yard and letting nature take its course. Over time, the leaves will break down and turn into compost.
  2. Hot Composting: This method involves creating a compost pile that is at least 3 feet by 3 feet and 3 feet tall, and regularly turning it to ensure proper aeration. This will create heat, which will help speed up the decomposition process.
  3. Vermicomposting: This method involves using worms to break down the leaves. The worms will eat the leaves and their castings will add nutrients to the compost.
  4. Leaf Mold: This is a specific method of composting leaves by themselves. It is a slow process which takes about a year or two, but the end result is a rich, dark, crumbly soil amendment.

It is important to make sure that the leaves are shredded as they decompose more quickly and evenly.

Benefits of Cold Composting

Cold composting, also known as passive composting, is a method of breaking down organic materials without the use of added heat. Some benefits of cold composting include:

  1. It is easy and requires minimal effort. Cold composting typically involves layering organic materials and leaving them to decompose over time.
  2. It can be done year-round, regardless of the weather. Unlike hot composting, which requires warmer temperatures to work efficiently, cold composting can be done in any climate.
  3. It is less likely to attract pests and animals. Because cold composting does not generate as much heat as hot composting, it is less likely to attract unwanted visitors like rats or raccoons.
  4. It produces a higher quality compost. Cold composting can take longer than hot composting, but the end result is a richer, more diverse compost with a greater number of beneficial microorganisms.
  5. It can compost a wider variety of materials. Cold composting can handle a wider variety of materials including meat, dairy, and cooked food which are not suitable for hot composting.

Overall, cold composting is a great option for those who want to create high-quality compost without a lot of work or attention.

Hot Composting Advantages

Hot composting, also known as active composting, is a method of breaking down organic materials by adding heat. Some benefits of hot composting include:

  1. It is faster than cold composting. Hot composting can take as little as two weeks to produce finished compost, while cold composting can take several months.
  2. It can kill harmful pathogens and weed seeds. The high temperatures generated during hot composting can kill pathogens and weed seeds, making the final compost safer to use in the garden.
  3. It can break down tougher materials. Hot composting can break down materials such as branches and tough plant material that might not break down as easily in a cold compost pile.
  4. It can reduce the volume of compost. Hot composting can reduce the volume of materials in a compost pile by as much as 50-70%.
  5. It can generate heat that can be used. Hot composting can generate heat that can be used to heat greenhouses or other structures.

Overall, hot composting is a good option for those who want a quick return on their composting efforts and want to ensure that their compost is pathogen-free and weed-seed free. Keep in mind that Hot composting requires more maintenance and management than cold composting and also some materials such as meat, dairy, and cooked food should not be added to hot composting.

Leaf Mold vs Composting

Leaf mold and composting are both methods of breaking down organic materials, but they produce different end products with different uses.

Leaf mold is made exclusively from leaves, typically from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, and beech. The leaves are shredded and left to decompose for one to two years, producing a dark, crumbly, soil-like material that is high in organic matter and beneficial microorganisms. Leaf mold is an excellent amendment for gardens and can be used to improve soil structure, increase water retention and provide a slow-release source of nutrients.

Composting, on the other hand, involves a wider variety of organic materials such as yard waste, food scraps, and manure. The materials are mixed together and left to decompose for several weeks to several months, producing a dark, crumbly, soil-like material that is high in organic matter and beneficial microorganisms. Compost can be used as a soil amendment, to improve soil structure, as a mulch, and to fertilize plants.

In summary, leaf mold is a specific type of compost that is made only from leaves and takes a longer time to decompose than regular compost, but it’s ideal for amending soil and can be used as a soil conditioner. While compost can be made from a wide variety of materials and can be used in many ways in gardening and farming. Both leaf mold and compost are beneficial for plants and soil, but the choice depends on the specific use and the materials available.

Equipment Needed To Compost Leaves

A common tool used for leaf composting is a leaf shredder. A leaf shredder is a machine that grinds up leaves into small pieces, making them easier to decompose. This can be done manually with a rake or a lawn mower, but a leaf shredder can be more efficient and effective.

There are different types of leaf shredders available on the market, including:

  1. Electric leaf shredders: These shredders use electricity to power the blades and are typically less loud than gas-powered shredders.
  2. Gas-powered leaf shredders: These shredders use gas to power the blades and are typically more powerful than electric shredders.
  3. Hand-cranked leaf shredders: These shredders are manually operated and are typically smaller and less expensive than electric or gas-powered shredders.

It’s important to consider the size and volume of leaves that you need to shred and your budget when choosing a leaf shredder. Also, check for the safety features, like overload protection, and the warranty of the product.

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Filed Under: Compost, leaves

Want to know how worms create compost?

June 26, 2017 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

Vermicomposting or worm composting has gotten very popular. Setting up a bin is super easy, it just takes a trash can or stroage container, some shredded newspaper, a little water, the food scraps and of course, a pound or two of worms. So long as you do not overfeed your worm bin food scraps, you will have a healthy fresh smelling compost bin. The worms will acclimate and multiple which will require incremental increases in the amount of food scraps you give them.

If you would like to set up a worm bin please refer to our instructions at Setting Up Your Worm Bin.

The popularity of worm composting has increased so much that the American Chemical Society produced this informative video for the Washington Post explaining how earthworms aid in the decomposition of organic matter to produce nutrient-rich compost.

Some things I learned from this short video:

  • Darwin wrote his last book about earthworms
  • Earthworms have a gland that secretes calcium carbonate to help the worms digest the carbon-rich organic matter which reduces the amount of carbon thrown off into the atmosphere.
  • Since earthworms don’t have teeth, they rely on their gizzard to crush and pulverize their food.
  • Drilodefensins is an acid found in the gut of the earthworm that enables them to neutralize the poisons that make up parts of some plants.

All of this happens to create worm castings which is nutrient-rich plant and tree loving soil by another name.

Another fun fact: Earthworms consume a 100% fiber diet. If human were to do that, we get seriously constipated. But the worms can do it because their digestive system incorporates all the enzymes they need to breakdown the organic material.

If you have ever been curious about vermicompost or composting with worms, you must watch this short information packed video. You’ll never look at a worm with disgust again. These little creatures are powerhouse workers.

Filed Under: Building Soil, Compost, Vermicompost, Video

Composting in New York City Goes Big Time

June 16, 2017 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

If you thought you had an efficient composting system, you’ve got to read this article Elizabeth Royte wrote for the New York Times entitled The Compost King of New York.

The New York City Sanitation Department has instituted a Zero Waste program that asks residents to separate their food scraps and yard waste in separate brown bins which are collected curbside or via neighborhood collection bins. This waste is picked up separately to reduce the amount of methane producing refuse in the sanitation landfills.

Royte was curious where the food scraps she was leaving at her curbside or others were depositing in the various receptacles around NYC actually went.

She followed the trail and her findings are in this article for the NY Times. Royte visits a farm that accepts food scraps and produce waste from grocery stores. The organic material is composted in the familiar methods. The some of the resulting soil is used on the farm while the rest is sold by the cubic yard to help offset the farm’s expenses.

Elizabeth Royte will also introduce you to a man who is convinced his $50 million investment into an anaerobic digester will reap profits from the renewable fuel he will produce at his massive complex in Yapank, New York. The rotting of organic matter combined with sewage also collected will generate a biogas that will be captured to power his plant and possibly provide heat and electricity for surrounding homes. There is an unending source for raw material since New York City pays him to take the food scraps that sanitation trucks collect curbside each week.

You will also meet a man who has been studying rotting things his entire career and he will explain carbon benefits of composting versus anaerobically digesting organic materials.

If you are into composting as I am, you will find this article fascinating. Elizabeth Royte has written three books available on Amazon.

Royte has also published an article for Audubon about neonicotinoids and how the pesticide linked with bee decline might also be threatening birds.

Photo credit: Death To Stock Photography

Filed Under: Building Soil, Compost, Featured, Soil Making News

Mike McGrath Explains Why You Should Be Leaf Composting

April 5, 2015 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

We’ve written about it many times that composting your leaves each fall will do more for your garden than any store bought fertilizer ever will.

Mike McGrath, hosts a weekly radio program on WHYY in Philidelphia called “You Bet Your Garden.” In this Ted Talk, Mike explains why you should be compost your fall leaves and not put them out for the trash collection.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Compost, Featured, leaves, Video

10 Interesting Facts About Red Wigglers

February 28, 2012 by SoilGuide Leave a Comment

  1. Though Red Wigglers are a species of earthworm, they are rarely found in soil.
  2. Red Wigglers are photosensitive, therefore, they only work in the dark.
  3. Red Wigglers will excrete a foul smelling liquid when handled roughly.
  4. Red Wigglers when happy and healthy can eat about half of their weight in food each day.
  5. Red Wigglers have gizzards that need grit to help grind up their food. Soil, shredded leaves, coffee grinds are examples of things that support the Red Wigglers digestive process.
  6. Red Wigglers are hermaphroditic (they have both male and female sex organs) but two worms are needed to reproduce. The two worms join together and exchange sperm and both worms secretes cocoons that contain eggs.
  7. Red Wigglers are ready to mate when their clitellums are orange in color.
  8. “Red Wigglers — the Cadillac of worms!” was an advertisement that aired during a broadcast on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.
  9. Teenage Red Wigglers eat more than adult Red Wigglers.
  10. Red Wigglers love watermelon, pureed pumpkin and corn meal. I’ve heard that corn meal encourages Red Wigglers to reproduce prolifically but I have not witnessed that myself.

Filed Under: Compost, Featured, Vermicompost

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