How to Make Less Waste in the Garden
Making less waste in the garden is easy and fun. Composting, vermicomposting
and grasscycling are the three primary ways you can reduce the waste generated
by your garden.
Composting, nature's own way of recycling, is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food waste. Compost is the soil amendment product that results from proper composting.
Earth Machines are available for $40 plus tax at these locations:
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms ("vermi" is Latin for "worm")
to process organic food waste into nutrient rich soil. Worms eat decaying
food waste and produce vermicompost, a very effective soil amendment.
Check out these websites for more great information on how to build your
own worm bin.
http://www.nyccompost.org/how/wormbin.html
http://www.mastercomposter.com
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings
on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings will quickly decompose,
returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
Grasscycling saves time, money, and protects the environment. Mowing time is reduced since the bagging and disposal of clippings is eliminated. Grass clippings add beneficial organic matter to the soil, which provides free fertilizer and produces healthy, green lawns. Grasscycling reduces turf grass fertilizer and water requirements, which can reduce toxic runoff entering storm drains and polluting our creeks, rivers and Humboldt Bay.
Composting
Composting, nature's own way of recycling, is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food waste. Compost is the soil amendment product that results from proper composting.
Three Simple Steps
- Mix browns (dry, woody materials) with greens (moist green materials)
- Maintain air and water balance (compost should be moist like a damp sponge)
- Chop materials to speed up the breakdown process
What to Compost
- Browns: Fallen leaves or redwood/fir/pine needles, hay, chopped woody prunings, most sawdust
- Greens: Fruit and vegetable trimmings, lawn clippings, citrus rinds, weeds (without seed heads), coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, herbivore manure (cow, sheep, horse, rabbit, chicken)
- DON'T compost: meat, bones, fish, pet waste, diseased plants, dairy products, grease
Need a Compost Bin?
Earth Machines are available for $40 plus tax at these locations:
- Fortuna City Hall (725-7600)
- City of Arcata Environmental Services (822-8184) - ($20 for Arcata residents with proof of residency)
- Rio Dell City Hall (764-3532)
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms ("vermi" is Latin for "worm")
to process organic food waste into nutrient rich soil. Worms eat decaying
food waste and produce vermicompost, a very effective soil amendment.
Check out these websites for more great information on how to build your
own worm bin.
http://www.nyccompost.org/how/wormbin.html
http://www.mastercomposter.com
Grasscycling
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings
on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings will quickly decompose,
returning valuable nutrients to the soil. Grasscycling saves time, money, and protects the environment. Mowing time is reduced since the bagging and disposal of clippings is eliminated. Grass clippings add beneficial organic matter to the soil, which provides free fertilizer and produces healthy, green lawns. Grasscycling reduces turf grass fertilizer and water requirements, which can reduce toxic runoff entering storm drains and polluting our creeks, rivers and Humboldt Bay.