Composting: Minnesota Style
November 10th 2009 01:10
This summer I had the opportunity to be at the Minnesota State Fair, which among all the traditional farm shows and equipment, features a wonderful building for science and technology. The last couple of years have seen a focus on green tech and sustainability in this building. I picked up a card about composting from RethinkRecycling.com:
"Food waste accounts for about 11 percent of the garbage thrown away in the Twin Cities metro area. That's over two pounds per person per week! Much of this waste can be put to better use. Many types of food scraps, along with leaves and yard trimmings, can be combined in your backyard compost bin to create a valuable soil additive for your lawn and garden. That's recycling at its best!
The benefits of composting include:
-Reducing waste in your garbage can
-Reducing water and fertilizer required for your lawn and garden
-Improving soil quality and supplying essential nutrients for plant growth"
The same card also includes "A Recipe for Good Clean Dirt":
-Place you bin in a convenient location for easy access. A shady or sunny spot will work
-ADD food and yard wastes including:
--Vegetable and fruit scraps, rinds and peels
--Coffee grounds and filters
--Tea leaves and tea bags
--Egg shells
--Nut shells
--Plant trimmings
--Grass and leaves
-DO NOT ADD fats or animal products including:
--Butter, cheese, or dairy products
--Meat or bones
--Gravies or sauces
--Pet waste
-As a general rule, add three parts of dry ingredients, leaves or dry grass, to one part of wet food waste.
-Keep the pile moist. The optimal moisture level for compost is best described as similar to a wrung-out sponge.
-Speed up decomposition. Turn the pile with a pitch fork or shovel at least monthly."
That's all for now, happy composting!
"Food waste accounts for about 11 percent of the garbage thrown away in the Twin Cities metro area. That's over two pounds per person per week! Much of this waste can be put to better use. Many types of food scraps, along with leaves and yard trimmings, can be combined in your backyard compost bin to create a valuable soil additive for your lawn and garden. That's recycling at its best!
The benefits of composting include:
-Reducing waste in your garbage can
-Reducing water and fertilizer required for your lawn and garden
-Improving soil quality and supplying essential nutrients for plant growth"
The same card also includes "A Recipe for Good Clean Dirt":
-Place you bin in a convenient location for easy access. A shady or sunny spot will work
-ADD food and yard wastes including:
--Vegetable and fruit scraps, rinds and peels
--Coffee grounds and filters
--Tea leaves and tea bags
--Egg shells
--Nut shells
--Plant trimmings
--Grass and leaves
-DO NOT ADD fats or animal products including:
--Butter, cheese, or dairy products
--Meat or bones
--Gravies or sauces
--Pet waste
-As a general rule, add three parts of dry ingredients, leaves or dry grass, to one part of wet food waste.
-Keep the pile moist. The optimal moisture level for compost is best described as similar to a wrung-out sponge.
-Speed up decomposition. Turn the pile with a pitch fork or shovel at least monthly."
That's all for now, happy composting!
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