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Backyard Composting How-to advice to get started!

Backyard Composting How-to advice to get started!. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. What is compost? Why start composting? Pick a place. Build your pile. Active (hot) vs. passive (cool). How do I use it? Resources to learn more. Compost Through History.

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Backyard Composting How-to advice to get started!

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  1. Backyard Composting How-to advice to get started!

  2. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

  3. What is compost? • Why start composting? • Pick a place. Build your pile. • Active (hot) vs. passive (cool). • How do I use it? • Resources to learn more.

  4. Compost Through History • Reference to use of manure in agricultureon clay tablets, 23rd Century BC. • Romans and Greeks used compost. • William Shakespeare’s Hamlet advised:“Do not spread the compost on the weeds, to make them ranker.”

  5. Famous Composters • Many of America’s founding fathers were farmers. All used compost. • George Washington Carver said, “…a compost pile is essential and can be had with little labor and practically no cash outlay.”

  6. Compost importance grows • In 1905, British agronomist learned best compost consisted of three times as much plant matter as manure. • Rapid composting techniques developed in 1950-1960s.

  7. What is Compost? • Organic material from decomposition of carbon (dried leaves), nitrogen (food scraps). • Happens naturally – certain techniques accelerate the process. • Dark, crumbly, soil-like.

  8. Why is it Important? • Reduces waste stream. Yard and food scraps = 30% of landfill • Improves soil structure. • Retains moisture, slows run-off from rain. • Reduces need forfertilizer.

  9. Starting a Compost Pile • Select a location – awayfrom the house. • Make your own, buy a tub,use pallets for 3-bin style.

  10. Starting your Compost Pile - Ideal size is 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. (27 cubic ft.) Easier to turn, maintain aerobic action • No larger than 5 x 5 x 5 Can be anaerobic if too large

  11. What goes in your Compost Carbon: dried leaves, straw Nitrogen: food scraps, plants Water: moisture Oxygen

  12. Carbon Nitrogen BROWNSGREENS Dried leaves Kitchen scraps Straw Coffee grounds & filter Shredded paper Tea bags Drier lint Fresh garden trimmings Newspaper Pet hair Pine needles Manure (from herbivores: Sawdust poultry, cattle, goat)Peanut shells

  13. A Few Things to Avoid - Meat, bones - Dairy products - Fats and oils - Pet feces (dog, cat, other carnivores)- Wood ashes These can attract critters you don’t want, may create odd odors, or contain harmful bacteria/parasites.

  14. Turn it to add Oxygen Keep the worms, bugs, microbes happy andeating your browns and greens. Use a pitch fork to turn the pile.

  15. Bugs, worms, flies, oh my!

  16. Bugs, worms, flies, oh my! • Soil invertebrates chew, decrease size of materials for microorganisms. • Mesophiles: microbes, decomposers that live and reproduce between 40 and 110 F. • Thermophiles: microbes, decomposers that live and reproduce between 110 and 170F.

  17. Active (hot) vs. Passive (cool) • Hot compostingMaterialsadded all at once. Temperatures 110-140 +.Finished in three to four months. • Cool composting • Continuous pile. Add material as it’s available. • Trench. Kitchen scraps placed 12” deep andcovered immediately. Typically near garden. • Sheet. Layers of newsprint, yard waste, dried leaves. Ready in six to eight months (next season).

  18. Troubleshooting Materials not decomposing: Add water, turn pile to add oxygen, add more greens Ammonia odor: Add browns such as leaves, straw Rotten odor: Turn pile, add coarse dry materials. Bury food scraps

  19. OK, when is it done? When: • material is even color, texture and has an earthy smell. • temp of pile is at outdoor temp. • a small amount in sealed plastic bag creates no condensation inside bag.

  20. How to use your Compost • Mulch for garden, fruit trees • Top dressing on flowering plants • Soil improvement, helps change structure • Enhances moisture retention • Improves drainage in clay soil • Attracts earthworms which aerate soil

  21. Compost Demonstration Sites • Master Gardeners offer how-to advice at five locations in Howard County from April to November. Free bin to County residents. • Schooley Mill Park • Centennial Park • Alpha Ridge Landfill • Miller Branch library • Robinson Nature Center

  22. Top Reasons to Compost • Reduces need for chemical fertilizers, mulch. • Improves the structure of your soil. • Reduces yard waste going to landfill. • Slows storm water run-off, help protect Bay. • Decreases water use in your landscape. • It's easy. Good exercise!

  23. Resources to Learn More • Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC)extension.umd.edu/hgic/resources • HC Bureau of Environmental Serviceshowardcountymd.gov/composting.htm • Howard County Master Gardeners

  24. The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

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