HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-05-03, Page 29(MS) — Recycling often calls to
mind piles of newspapers, aluminum
cans and discarded plastic bottles.
But recycling and gardening can be
married when you create a compost
area in your yard.
Composting is recycling in the
most basic sense. It takes materials
from the home and yard and returns
them to the environment in a usable
form.
Composting can reduce the
amount of trash put into landfills,
and it can be a viable alternative to
getting rid of yard waste —
especially where leaf burning and
lawn clipping disposal is outlawed.
Whether you are composting
because you want to improve the
environment or out of necessity, it
can be an easy and enjoyable — not
to mention, cost-effective — thing to
do.
What You’ll Need
Composting requires only a few
basic tools and materials:
• bin or other type of containment
for the compost (you can also choose
to leave the compost in a “heap,” but
this could be unsightly in urban
areas)
• pitch fork for turning
• good-quality soil
• lawn and garden clippings,
leaves
• kitchen scraps, such as fruit
rinds, coffee grounds, unused
vegetables, egg shells, etc.
• compost thermometer, if desired
Getting Started
Compost “recipes” vary among
gardeners, but a good rule of thumb
is 50 per cent “green” (grass
clippings, food scraps) to 50 per cent
“brown” (soil, dry leaves, wood
shavings).
The green is nitrogen-rich and will
keep the compost heap hot. The
brown adds carbon to the mix and
will keep the heap cool. Both work
in concert to create the right blend
for maximum compost creation.
Locate the compost heap in a
relatively shady area, under a tree,
but not an acidic one, such as a pine
tree. The heap should measure
roughly six feet by six feet, and be at
least five feet tall in the middle.
Anything smaller will not achieve
the right temperature for
decomposition of matter.
Layer your ingredients and
thoroughly mix together. Just about
any yard waste that you would
normally bag up and trash can be
added to the mix. Use caution with
weeds, which can regenerate, or
poisonous plants, which should be
avoided.
Also, sprawling plants such as ivy
should be chopped and shredded so
they will not grow in your heap or
regenerate wherever you use your
compost.
Key Tips
The secret to good compost is
maintaining the ratio of ingredients,
mixing regularly to incorporate
newly added material, and aerating.
Any issues with odour or attraction
of insects normally results from
improper incorporation of materials
or simply dumping waste on top of
the pile.
Turn and use compost from the
bottom, which should be a rich, dark
colour and no longer gives clues to
what was added separately to the
heap.
Problem Solving
Odour or pests can be avoided in
the following manner:
• Insects: Flies should not be
attracted to your pile if you bury
food waste six to 12 inches in the
center of the heap.
• Odours: These are usually
caused by too many greens or a
proper amount of greens not
adequately stirred into the mixture.
Try mixing in more browns if an
odour other than an earthy smell is
present.
• Rodents or animals: Rodents are
usually attracted to fatty foods or
meats, which should not be added to
the compost.
• Moisture: Too much or too little
can cause problems. Cover your
compost during rainy weather to
avoid over-wetting and rotting.
Sprinkle a little water on the pile
only in periods of drought. The
moisture consistency should remain
that of a wrung-out sponge.
Other Ingredients
Once your compost heap or bin is
established, experiment with adding
other materials. Here are some good
ideas:
• breads, pastas and tea bags
• paper towels, toilet paper tubes
and other shredded paper products
• manures from plant-eating
animals
Continued from page 28
areas.
• Kitchens: Upscale gas grills or
even brick pizza ovens are on the
rise for fancy outdoor cooking.
Some outdoor kitchens are even
complete with sinks, ranges and
refrigerators.
• Gardens: The Garden Media
Group predicts 2007 trends will
include gardens with colourful
foliage plants, such as elephant
ears, ornamental grasses and
iresine.
Small gardens are also “in,”
according to GMG. Squeeze a small
garden on your patio or rooftop,
wherever there’s plenty of sunlight.
Also, consider a trellis with vines to
create a natural canopy for your
backyard.
Whatever outdoor makeover you
choose, create a seamless transition
from indoor to outdoor by using
architecture details, flooring, colour
schemes and window treatments
similar to the inside of your home,
suggests the American Society of
Interior Designers.
Then, when you head outdoors,
you’ll still feel right at home.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007. PAGE 29.
(MS) — Winter can be hard on a
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Step 1: Clean and Restore: Before
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Composting, recycling in the most basic sense
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