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NVLife_JanFeb_2015

JANUARY- F E B R UARY 2 0 1 5 43 Composting~ When we think of recycling, we tend to think of traditional materials such as glass, plastic, and cardboard, but not organic materials (i.e., yardwaste and food scraps), which are actually the largest component of municipal garbage. Organic materials make up roughly 30% of the waste stream that is sent to the landfill. Since this material is organic, it can be “recycled” naturally through composting. By composting this material into a soil amendment instead of sending it to a landfill, we can improve garden soil, reduce fertilizer and water use, control diseases of plants and animals, control erosion, and grow healthy, beautiful plants. Since 1997, the City and County of Napa, in cooperation with the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County, have taught home composting and worm composting to approximately 7,500 Napa Valley households through Napa’s Home Composting Workshops. The City of Napa estimates that in the past seventeen years over 34,000 tons (approximately 2,000 tons per year) of organic materials have been composted at home in Napa Valley. By reducing the amount of raw garbage entering landfills, composting also helps to reduce the amount of methane and other gases produced there. According to the EPA, landfills are the largest single human-created source of methane emissions in the U.S., accounting for 33 percent of all methane sources. Methane gas contributes to global climate change and is of particular concern because it is roughly 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. What is composting and why do it? Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen. Compost is the soil product that results from proper composting. Composting helps to keep organic material out of our landfills and turns that material into a useful product. With organics making up such a large portion of California’s municipal waste, on-site composting reduces the cost of hauling garbage and operating landfills. Compost is great for gardens and landscaping, and you save money by not having to buy soil conditioners, mulch and fertilizer. Moreover, you can control the quality of your compost because you control the inputs and the composting process from beginning to end. How and where can you compost at home? There are four basic ways to compost at home. The first is the “rapid” or “hot” compost method, which is recommended by the University of California and Master Gardeners. It yields compost quickly, and if done properly destroys many pathogens and weed seeds. It is a batch method that requires regular attention, but this technique produces compost in as little as two to three weeks. The second type of composting is the less intensive “cold” or “no fuss” method. This method is much slower; it can take a year or more for the material to break down using this technique. “Cold” composting does not kill diseases or weed seeds, but has the advantage that you can add more material at any time. Smaller pieces will compost faster, and worms, microbes and bugs assist with the breakdown in both types of composting. The third method, worm composting, uses red wiggler worms to convert kitchen scraps and shredded paper into excellent food for your plants. Worm composting can be done indoors or out and will produce a rich, dark compost filled with nutrients. Lastly, there is “grasscycling,” the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings decompose quickly and release valuable nutrients such as nitrogen back into the soil. Turning your compost pile adds oxygen and redistributes fresh organic matter to the microorganisms that break it down. This will help decompose the materials faster than simply letting the pile rot. A frequently turned and carefully managed pile will decompose in weeks, while a neglected pile can take a year or more to produce usable compost. Compost can be made in an open pile in your garden or yard in either sun or shade. If you use a bin or container, the pile will stay neat and potentially decompose faster. The ideal size for a hot compost pile is 3’X3’X3’. Multiple bins can make turning the pile easier because you can simply move material from one bin to the next. How can you stop flies and other insects from becoming pests around the compost pile? Flies are attracted to food scraps. To discourage flies, place the food scraps deep in the pile and cover them well with other compost material. Piles made entirely from yard waste do not usually attract flies and other flying insects in large numbers. What are the “ingredients” needed to make compost? The three main ingredients are brown material, green material and water. You need equal amounts of brown (dry) material, such as chopped leaves, pine needles, or dry refuse from your garden, and green material, such as grass clippings, prunings, weeds, other green materials from the garden, and enough water to make the material moist. Almost any plant-based waste from the kitchen may be used. Fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee filters and grounds, food-soiled paper, and shredded paper are good for composting. Do not add meat scraps, bones, or other animal product or foods high in oil and fat. These items generate foul odors and attract insects and animal pests. Where can I learn more about composting? The City and County of Napa and UC Master Gardeners of Napa County offer local residents 10 free composting classes, as well as discounted compost bins for backyard composting, between the months of March and October throughout Napa Valley. Please see the adjacent compost class schedule or visit www.cityofnapa.org/compost to register for a general composting or worm composting class. For more information or questions, please e-mail sturnipseed@cityofnapa.org or call City of Napa Recycling Division at 258-7864. nature’s way of Recycling


NVLife_JanFeb_2015
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