Composting: the rotten truth Anne Kolaczyk Purdue University Master Gardener ©2006Anne Kolaczyk.
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Transcript of Composting: the rotten truth Anne Kolaczyk Purdue University Master Gardener ©2006Anne Kolaczyk.
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Composting:the rotten truth
Anne KolaczykPurdue University Master Gardener
©2006Anne Kolaczyk
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CompostingComposting is the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost.
Invertebrates (insects and earthworms), and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) help in this transformation.
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Kinds Bin composting Tumbler composting Sunken pail composting Sheet composting Anaerobic composting Vermicomposting
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Why do it Environmentally responsible
Keeps biodegradable waste out of landfills and sewage plants
Alternative to burning Gives you a vibrant garden
without chemical fertilizers Saves money Learning tool
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What it involves Adding ingredients Maintaining proper temperature Turning Maintaining moisture Harvesting
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Bin composting
“backyard composting”
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Composting bins Ready made Homemade Bin-less pile
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Ready made Expensive Limited capacity Good if space is an
issue
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Homemade Three bins are best
One to fill One that’s “cooking” One to turn others into or to draw from
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Bin-less pile Just a pile with no partitions Hard to maintain sufficient depth to
achieve high enough temperatures Easy and nothing to build Moveable
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What you can compost Yard waste Kitchen scraps Newspaper Cardboard
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What not to compost Meat scraps Bones Dairy products Pet waste Diseased plants Invasive weeds
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C:N ratio Should be 30 parts carbon to 1 part
nitrogen by weight Grass Clippings 19:1 Leaves 40:1
Equal weight of each would give you approximately 30:1 ratio for pile
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What’s what Brown (Carbon)
Leaves Dirt Grocery bags Bird seed hulls Wood chips
Green (Nitrogen) Grass clippings Plant clippings Fertilizer Coffee grounds
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C:N ratio, my take
Whatever!
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Care of compost Passive
Let sit Takes months and months
Active Turn often Keep moist (H2O 40-60% of weight) Have proper ratio of C:N (30:1) 2-6 weeks (depending on ingredients)
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Let’s get realConcerns Solutions
I don’t have room Use commercial bin
It takes too long Maintain proper conditions Cut up large pieces
It smells Not if you maintain C:N ratio
Temps too low to kill diseases, fungi, weed seeds
Use local community composting facility for problem pieces, compost the rest
Attracts animals Bury food waste in center
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Uses Early stages as mulch
Keeps weeds from growing Helps retain moisture Beneficial minerals go into soil
Later stages for soil amending Enriches soil Helps with moisture retention
Removes/reduces need for chemical fertilizers that leach into our ground water
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What method is right for me??? How much space do I have?
Is it indoor or outdoor or both?
What do I want to compost? How much waste do I have a week?
How and where do I want to use the compost? How much time can I spend on it a week? What’s my ewww! factor? How committed am I to composting?
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Resources Purdue Extension office Library Internet
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Anaerobic
Vermi
Sheet
Pail
Tumbler
Bin
composting
Just do it!