WELCOME TO COMPOST HAPPENS! FEBRUARY 10 TH , 2016 Master Gardeners - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

https://solanacenter.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/5-ways-to-heat-up-your-compost/ www.eulesstx.gov https://ww w.vitamind council.org/ blog/help- fund-this- research- project / WELCOME TO COMPOST HAPPENS! FEBRUARY 10 TH , 2016 Master Gardeners and Master Composters: Susan Eisendrath, Denny May, Larry Himelfarb

Derwood Compost & Urban Farmette

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 3

Our Vision: A healthier world through environmental stewardship. Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective & sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, & communities. 4

IPM: Soil Preparation Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the practice of identifying, diagnosing, managing and preventing plant and insect problems using biological, cultural, and physical methods. http://www.ipminstitute.org/images/ipm_year.gif

Agenda  Objectives  Who is Composting?  Basics of Composting  Interactive Quick Quizzes  Q&A  Action Plans & http://pulsosocial.com/en/2013/03/22/agenda-brazil-three-tech-events-to-check-out- this-weekend/ Feedback

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

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?

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 http://go2add.com/newtech/composting.php mass of the raw materials while transforming them into a valuable soil conditioner.

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

Compost ENHANCES SOIL  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 Adapted from: Institute for Local Self Reliance

OTHER Benefits of Composting & Compost U.S. Municipal Waste Disposed (after recycling)  Reduces waste  Cuts emissions from landfilling & trash burning  Reduces stormwater run-off & soil erosion  Creates jobs & supports local economies  Protects the climate 164.7 million tons in 2010 Source: US EPA, 2010 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non- hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Compost: Foundation of healthy soil and green infrastructure  Stormwater management (low-impact Sediment Trap development)  Water conservation (the cheapest “new supply” of water) Slope Protection  Sustainable landscapes and Erosion Control Blanket  Sustainable local/regional agriculture Added benefit of cost-effective waste diversion Source: David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities & Washington Organic Recycling Council, Soils for Salmon Project. Vegetated Walls Above photos courtesy: Filtrexx 15 Slide Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Watershed Benefits of Compost Use  Non-point source pollution prevention  Erosion & sedimentation control  Improved water retention  Reduced chemical needs Denbow, www.denbow.com  Improved soil quality & structure Credit: City of Portland, Oregon Bureau of Filtrexx, www.filtrexx.com Environmental Services Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

MCS Inc., www.mcsnjinc.com www.ilsr.org/paydirt Slide Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance Denbow, www.denbow.com

Montgomery County, MD Rainscapes Rewards Rebate Program  BMP for rain gardens: amending soil with compost  Conservation landscapes: required to have 3-inch layer of compost (incorporated to create a 6-12 inch improved soil layer)  Property owners offered rebate for low-impact development installations $2,500 max for residential  $10,000 max for commercial, multi-family, or institutional   Replicated in Gaithersburg & Rockville Over 100 Certified RainScapes Professionals

Survey: Americans open to composting 77% of Americans say they understand 16% say they compost at home, 9% in   the importance of recovering food/yard their community, 4% in some other way organic material instead of disposing it = 72% of Americans do not compost with household waste 68% who do not compost say they  would be willing to separate food waste if their community implemented a program requiring them to do so 79% of Americans with gardens would  be willing to use gardening fertilizers, mulch and other products made from food waste compost Source: Harris Interactive Survey of 2,051 adults, Dec. 19-23 rd , 2013. Commissioned by the National Waste & Recycling Assoc. http://beginwiththebin.org Slide Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

(Accessed 2/6/15 http://fauxrealintexas.blogspot. com/2012/05/entry-63.html)

Composting Locally  City of Takoma Park  Montgomery County Food Recovery  Montgomery County Yard Waste Composting  Neighborhood Soil Rebuilder Community  Veterans Composting, Composting Compost Cab, Compost Crew

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

6 Key Composting Factors The Rot Stars: microorganisms digest organic 1. matter Air or oxygen 2. Water or moisture 3. Food they require (need to balance carbon to 4. nitrogen ratio = “green” and “brown” ingredients) The size of the compost materials 5. The volume of the pile 6.

Compost Food Web  Compost is a living soil amendment.  Bacteria, fungi, and microbes feed on organic matter.  Microbes use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce.  Several cycles of organisms are needed for decomposition. Image: University of Maryland Master Gardener Handbook (2008), p. 80

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

Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Nematodes https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/nematodes http://sdhydroponics.com/resources/articles/gardening/organic-gardening-protozoa-nematodes http://environmentalfertilisers.co.nz/ef-bio-vam-2/ http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2015/03/soil-based-bacteria-key-to-wine-style/

Composting Ingredients & Process: 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.

Compost Factors  Heat : High temperatures (120 – 160 degrees) break down the compost faster and help microbes decompose it.  Volume : Make the compost pile at http://www.cleanairgardening.com/compost-thermometer-g20p/ 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

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 Coffee grounds, fruit & vegetable waste (in rodent proof containers) grass clippings and yard trimmings 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

Pipes and Tarps http://myhorse.com/blogs/barns-farms-ranches/compost-your-horses-manure-and-create-black-gold/ http://indulgy.com/post/Nx4HZ88Sk2/secret-weapon-for-compostingpvc-pipe