WELCOME TO COMPOST HAPPENS! FEBRUARY 5 TH , 2020 Master Gardener and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

WELCOME TO COMPOST HAPPENS!

FEBRUARY 5TH, 2020

Master Gardener and Master Composter: Susan Eisendrath, MPH

www.eulesstx.gov https://solanacenter.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/5-ways-to-heat-up-your-compost/ https://ww w.vitamind council.org/ blog/help- fund-this- research- project/

Derwood Compost & Urban Farmette

Credit: Susan Eisenddrath

Agenda

 Objectives  Who is Composting?  Basics of Composting  Q&A  Action Plans

http://pulsosocial.com/en/2013/03/22/agenda-brazil-three-tech-events-to-check-out- this-weekend/

Objectives

 Define compost and composting  Identify the environmental

problems that composting addresses

 Explain the benefits of composting  Become aware of the compost food

web

 Know how to compost  Know some main composting

methods

 Understand how to use compost  Improve your own composting  Know key information for teaching

composting

Handouts and Resources

Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Composting or Not?

 How many of you compost?  Why?  How?  What?  Problems?  Why not?

http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/interview-questions-and-answers/

What is compost and what is composting?

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home https://rosecottagegarden.blogspot.com/2009/01/compost-central.html

Compost and Composting is…

Compost: A dark, crumbly, earthy- smelling material produced by the natural decomposition of organic materials. Composting: The aerobic, or oxygen- requiring, decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms, under controlled conditions. During composting, the microorganisms consume oxygen. Active composting generates heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Composting reduces the volume and mass of the raw materials while transforming them into a valuable soil conditioner.

http://go2add.com/newtech/composting.php

Why do we need to compost?

http://whyfiles.org environmental problems /2011/trash- does-burning-beat- burying/ http://www.energyjustice.net/biomass http://www.optimumgarden.com/controlling-pests-in-your-garden/ http://www.roomtogrow.co.uk/blog/growing-vegetable-patch-kids/

4 Principles of Soil Health

National Resources Conservation Districts, USDA, 2018

Add Compost = Add Soil Organic Matter

http://www.treepower.org/soils/soilorganicmatter.html

Benefits of Compost

 Increases beneficial living microorganisms, worms, insects in soils  Creates a rich nutrient-filled material, humus  Improves soil tilth, aeration, and water-holding capacity  Reduces or eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers  Suppresses soil-borne plant diseases and pests  Promotes higher yields of agricultural crops  Helps regenerate poor soils  Has the ability to cleanup (remediate) contaminated soil  Saves gardeners the money

used to buy alternatives such as peat moss, fertilizer, or vermiculite

Slide Adapted from: Institute for Local Self Reliance

OTHER Benefits of Composting & Compost

 Reduces waste  Cuts emissions from landfilling &

trash burning

 Reduces stormwater run-off &

soil erosion

 Creates jobs & supports

local economies

 Protects the climate

Adapted Slide: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Total MSW Generation (by Material), 2013 254 Million Tons (before recycling)

Source: https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/html/

Soil, Microbes, & Carbon Pool



Illustration by Krishna Chavda

Compost and Stormwater Management

 Erosion and sediment control  Aids water conservation  Improves water retention  Improves soil quality and structure

Source: David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities & Washington Organic Recycling Council, Soils for Salmon Project.

15

Above photos courtesy: Filtrexx

Vegetated Walls Slope Protection and Erosion Control Blanket Sediment Trap

Slide Adapted From: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Rainscapes Rewards Rebate Program

 Property owners offered rebate for low-impact development

installations

 Best Management Practices for rain gardens: amend soil with

compost

 Conservation landscapes: required to have 3-inch

layer of compost (incorporated to create a 6-12 inch improved soil layer)

Credit: City of Portland, Oregon Bureau of Environmental Services

Local Composting

 County Dept. of

Environmental Protection Division of Solid Waste Services: Backyard, Yard Waste, Food Waste Pilot, Strategic Plan

 Compost Crew,

Veterans Compost, Compost Cab

 City of Takoma Park  Prince George’s Food

Waste Composting

 DC Neighborhood Soil

Rebuilders Community Composting Program

 MD Dept. of

Enviroment

County Strategic Plan

Reducing food

waste/channeling food to others

Backyard

composting & Community-scale composting

On-site

institutional/on-site business composting

On-farm composting Commercial

composting

 Strategies to

maximize collection at the curb

Blair HS, 3 Bin System & Koiner Farm

Credit: Susan Eisendrath Credit: Susan Eisendrath https://www.facebook.com/CharlesKoinerFarm/ph

• tos/a.1103036646498028/1451492741652415/?ty

pe=3&theater

Compost Basics

Image: University of Maryland Master Gardener Handbook (2008), p. 79

6 Key Composting Factors

1.

The Rot Stars: microorganisms digest organic matter

2.

Air/Oxygen

3.

Water/Moisture

4.

Food (balance carbon to nitrogen ratio = “green” and “brown” ingredients)

5.

Particle Size

6.

Pile Volume

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75012107@N05/

Compost Food Web

 Compost is a living soil

amendment.

 Bacteria, fungi, and

microbes feed on

• rganic matter.

 Microbes use carbon

and nitrogen to grow and reproduce.

 Several cycles of

• rganisms are needed

for decomposition.

Image: University of Maryland Master Gardener Handbook (2008), p. 80 https://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/1241/ant-colony-in-my-compost-bin-are-they-beneficial

Soil Biota: Worms, Pill Bugs, Springtail, Bacteria, Protozoa, Mycorrhizal, Nematodes

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/photogallery/soils/health/biology/galle ry/?cid=1788&position=Promo https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Mycorhiz ae_fungus_%2810333483254%29.jpg

Compost Phases

http://teca.fao.org/es/read/8368

Underground Attraction

https://str.llnl.gov/april-2016/pettridge

Composting Ingredients: Organic Materials

 GREEN/Nitrogen

material: Grass, green yard trim, kitchen waste

 BROWN/Carbon

material: Leaves

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2511158/Adorable-lion-cub-Karis-loves-playing-Autumn-leaves-keepers-swept-enclosure.html

Composting Factors

 Moisture: Enough water

so that the compost feels like a damp sponge.

 Air: Pay attention to

• porosity. Turn the

compost weekly for about three weeks or more.

Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Compost Factors

 Heat: High temperatures (131 –

153 degrees) break down the compost faster and help microbes decompose it.

 Particle Size: 1/8th to 2 inches to

provide more surface area for the microbes to do their decomposition work.

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/compost-thermometer-g20p/ https://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/2012/05/international-compost-awareness-week.html

Compost Factors

 Volume: Make the compost pile at

least 3 x 3 x 3 feet to hold heat in and no bigger than 5 x 5 x 5 feet so it can be turned.

http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_placement_structures.htm https://www.google.com/search?q=usda+compost+images&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved =0ahUKEwj58Kiq2fzRAhXJrVQKHTlxBEcQsAQIGw&biw=1304&bih=699#imgrc=PHmGlLubHZUd4M:

Compost Recipe

 3 Buckets of BROWNS and  1 Bucket of GREENS  Put alternating layers of Browns and Greens on the

pile until it is at least a 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet pile and mix the layers.

 To help start it, you can also sprinkle some soil on

top of each layer of Brown or Green.

 Water each layer (should be moist as damp

sponge).

Compost Materials

Do Compost: Green/Nitrogen Material Garden/yard trimmings, coffee grounds, fruit & vegetable waste (in rodent proof containers), and fresh hay (without pesticides & herbicides) Manure: cow, horse, poultry, sheep, rabbit.

Compost Materials

Brown/Carbon Material:

Leaves, straw & hay (without pesticides & herbicides) Sawdust & wood chips, woody yard trimmings.

Avoid Composting:

Cat and dog manure, dairy and meat, weeds with seeds, diseased plants, wood ashes.

Basic Composting Tools

Credit: Susan Eisendrath Credit: Susan Eisendrath Credit:https://www.flickr.com/photos/andrea_44/ http://rosenotes.typepad.com/.a/6a010535bf3807970c011168886c92970c-pi

Pipes and Tarps

http://indulgy.com/post/Nx4HZ88Sk2/secret-weapon-for-compostingpvc-pipe Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Aerating with Perforated PVC Pipes

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/406/406-208/406-208.html http://www/uri/edu/healthylandscapes/livestock/how_manure_composting.html http://www.uvm.edu/sustain/news-events/blog/compost-power-project-heating-up-0

Watering Devices

https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/soak-rain-rain-barrels http://www.terapeak.com/worth/yard-butler-free-standing-garden-hose-hanger-w- faucet-gardenhose-holder-rack/281912792120/

Feedstock Stockpiling Containers

http://kitchen.vibreurs.com/decorative-kitchen-compost-bins/compost-kitchen-bin/ http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=65918 Credit: Susan Eisendrath Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Composting Methods

Slide Adapted From: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Composting Containers and Methods

http://organicgardening365.com/fall-the-best-time-to-start-a-compost-pile/

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration

Composting Containers and Methods

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Composting Containers and Methods

Credit: Susan Eisendrath Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Montgomery Co. Resources & Containers

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/composting/bins.html

Composting Containers and Methods

Credits: Susan Eisendrath

Composting Containers and Methods

Credit: Susan Eisendrath

3-Bin Composting System

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/compost/edu_equip_3bin.shtml https://codywitt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/3-pile-composting-system/

Compost Trouble Shooting

Image: University of Maryland Master Gardener Handbook (2008), p. 89

Compost: Ready to use?

 Feel & Smell: It should be same temperature as the

air, and feels and smells like soil.

 Test it: Put a handful in a zip lock plastic bag, leave

closed for a week, open:

 Smells like soil = Done  Smells foul, like sulphur = Not Done

Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Compost: Ready to use?

 Test it: Fill small pot with compost and plant 4-6

radish seeds, if they sprout, then it’s done.

 Let it Cure: Ideally, let it sit for 4 to 8 weeks to “age”

before using it.

Credit: Susan Eisendrath

Make or Buy Compost

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Credit: Susan Eisendrath http://www.menv.com/leafgro/index.html

Compost Uses

 Mulch for Landscaping, Nurseries

and Gardens

 Top dressing for Vegetable and

Flower gardens, Trees and Shrubs

 Soil improvement for transplants  Potting soil for seedlings and

house plants

 Soil improvement, remediation  Lawn care and Sod production  Sports fields and golf courses  Sediment and erosion control

Slide Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Application rates for different uses

Use Application Rate Notes New Lawn 1-2” layer (20-30%) Incorporate into top 5-7” of soil Lawn Rehab/maintena nce ¼-½” layer Cut grass short, broadcast over surface, rake and water Potting Mixes and House Plants n/a (20-50%) Mix thoroughly using sand, vermiculite, perlite, etc. On salt sensitive species, test mix or use lower compost concentration Flower & Garden Beds 1-2” layer (10-30%) Incorporate into soil to a depth of 5-6” Landscape Mulch 1-3” layer Blended Topsoil n/a (20-30%) Use higher rates (up to 50%) for very sandy, clayey soils, or poor soils

Source: “Field Guide to Compost Use,” US Composting Council. http://compostingcouncil.org; and Harvest Power web page, “Nourish: Tips for Applying Compost and Mulch,” http://www.harvestpower.com/products/soil-products/nourish/

Note: Application rates are given in inches of compost and % of compost in final soil/growth medium mix.

Slide Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Teaching Tips

 Why: Know benefits?  Who: New or already composting?  Where: Shade or sun? Space for materials?  How: What method and container? Size/Volume?  What: Materials-carbon, nitrogen? Stockpile?  Water: Too little, not enough?  Air: Turn or mix? Aeration pipes?  Problems: Need troubleshooting?  Use: Know when it’s ready? How to use?  Buy: Can’t, don’t want to make?

http://www.shoutmeloud.com/top-interview-questions-answers.html

Action Plans and Feedback

Make COMPOST Happen! A rind is a terrible thing to waste!

Accessed 2/6/15 www.naturalawakeningsmag.com http://www.cafepress.com/mf/34858013/compost-rectangle_sticker?productId=398105333

THANK YOU!

Susan Eisendrath, MPH Montgomery County Master Gardener and Master Composter susan.eisendrath@gmail.com