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

WELCOME TO COMPOST HAPPENS!

FEBRUARY 10TH, 2016

Master Gardeners and Master Composters: Susan Eisendrath, Denny May, Larry Himelfarb

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

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College of

Agriculture and Natural Resources

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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.

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 &

Feedback

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

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 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/

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

 Reduces waste  Cuts emissions from landfilling &

trash burning

 Reduces stormwater run-off &

soil erosion

 Creates jobs & supports

local economies

 Protects the climate

Source: US EPA, 2010 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non- hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) U.S. Municipal Waste Disposed (after recycling)

164.7 million tons in 2010

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Compost: Foundation of healthy soil and green infrastructure

 Stormwater management (low-impact

development)

 Water conservation (the cheapest “new

supply” of water)

 Sustainable landscapes  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.

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Above photos courtesy: Filtrexx

Vegetated Walls Slope Protection and Erosion Control Blanket Sediment Trap

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  Improved soil quality & structure Denbow, www.denbow.com Filtrexx, www.filtrexx.com

Credit: City of Portland, Oregon Bureau of Environmental Services

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

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

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

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$10,000 max for commercial, multi-family, or institutional

 Replicated in Gaithersburg & Rockville

Over 100 Certified RainScapes Professionals

Survey: Americans open to composting

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77% of Americans say they understand the importance of recovering food/yard

• rganic material instead of disposing it

with household waste

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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

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16% say they compost at home, 9% in their community, 4% in some other way = 72% of Americans do not compost

Source: Harris Interactive Survey of 2,051 adults, Dec. 19-23rd, 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

Yard Waste Composting

 Veterans Composting,

Compost Cab, Compost Crew

 Montgomery County

Food Recovery

 Neighborhood Soil

Rebuilder Community Composting

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 or oxygen

3.

Water or moisture

4.

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

5.

The size of the compost materials

6.

The volume of the pile

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

Compost Phases

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

Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Nematodes

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

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

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://www.cleanairgardening.com/compost-thermometer-g20p/ 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://indulgy.com/post/Nx4HZ88Sk2/secret-weapon-for-compostingpvc-pipe http://myhorse.com/blogs/barns-farms-ranches/compost-your-horses-manure-and-create-black-gold/

Aerating with Perforated PVC Pipes

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

Watering Devices

Feedstock Stockpiling Containers

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

Composting Containers and Methods

Slide Adapted From: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Composting Containers and Methods

Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Anne Arundel, MD, Master Gardener Composting Demonstration

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

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/

Montgomery Co. Resources & Containers

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

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

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

 Let it Cure: Ideally, when is done, let it sit for 2

weeks to “age” before using it.

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

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.

Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Smartphone Applications

http://www.harvestpower.com/media/apps/ Credit: Institute for Local Self Reliance

Quick Quizzes

(Accessed 8/31/15 http://msflodin.blogspot.com/2 015_04_01_archive.html)

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

Action Plans and Feedback

http://www.cafepress.com/mf/34858013/compost-rectangle_sticker?productId=398105333

Make Compost Happen!

COMPOST! A rind is a terrible thing to waste!

Accessed 2/6/15 www.naturalawakeningsmag.com

THANK YOU!

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

This class was brought to you in part by The Master Gardeners Program of Montgomery County University of Maryland Extension

http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg/locations/ montgomery-county-master-gardeners

Quick Quiz

• Why does my compost stink and what can I do about it?
• How do I keep rats out of my compost?
• What if my mixture isn't perfect?
• Turning compost is hard, isn't it? What if I don't turn often enough? What

if I'm not that strong physically?

• Where do I get carbon in the summertime?
• How do I make my pile break down faster?
• How do I know when my compost is done?
• Where should I put my pile and should I cover it?

Quick Quiz

• What are the very basic benefits?
• How do I begin composting...what are the recommended compost bins?
• Where should I site/locate the bin?--shade, access to water
• What's are the differences between hot and passive composting?
• How often do I need to turn and water the compost?
• How long will it take before it can be used in my garden?