HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-04-13, Page 31u
Composting means less garbage in landfill sites
From pogo 10
simple enclosure or in a 30-55
gallon plastic bag.
Be sure to place bins on a
well -drained site that is shaded
from direct sunlight.
if the pile or bin is uncovered,
put a sheet of plastic on top to
keep out excess moisture, which
slows down decomposition.
When using a plastic bag,
shake or invert it. Also, punch
holes to allow air to enter, and
keep the top of the bag open.
2.) Feed it a balanced diet. Use
mostly plant matter, and don't
add meats, fats or dairy waste,
all of which actually slow
composting, and which will also
draw scavengers (however, these
items can be put into Green
Cones, which were designed to
handle them).
Your goal is to achieve a
mixture of four parts carbon -
based plant material (including
leaves, sawdust and even
Spanish moss) to one part
nitrogen -based plant material,
such as grass clippings and
vegetable peelings.
3.) Shred material before
composting. Chop materials or
put them through a shredder.
Shredded material creates
more surface area for hungry
microorganisms to feed on.
4.) Layer your pile. Build your
compost pile in layers, watering
each as it is completed.
Start with two or three inches
of coarse materials, such as
cornstalks, twigs or straw to let
air reach the bottom of the pile.
Next, add three to six inches
of organic materials. Continue
layering the pile until you reach
a neight of 30 inches.
5.) Measure the temperature.
Ideally, the compost should
"cook" at 140 to 160 degrees
for the first few days, high
enough to destroy weed seeds
and disease organisms.
Special thermometers are
available to keep track of
compost temperatures.
6.) Turn the pile. Composting
requires air, so don't forget to
turn the pile every two to seven
days. Tl'ti ',ming the
pile pry , r n
add mc
dry matter.
7.) Keep the pile moist. but not
soggy. A handful of compost
feels about the same as a
squeezed -out sponge.
If you keep the pile damp and
turn it every few days, you'll
have compost ready to use in six
to eight weeks.
Gardeners who compost are
safely returning kitchen debris
and yard waste to the soil. It's an
easy, safe and environmentally -
wise alternative to sending
garbage to overflowing landfills.
In addition, composted soil is a
much healthier place (or your
plants to grow.
Harvest the lettuces just before making the salad
From page 12 the leaves even with kitchen 1 tbsp minced shallot
and small containers; greater soil scissors about 1/2 to one inch 1/4 tsp dried basil or tarragon
depth reduces the chances of the • rabove.the soil line. Combine the ingredients in a
delicate lettuce plants drying out Water the stubs at regular salad bowlor covered jar; whisk
too quickly. intervals and shortly a second or shake until thoroughly
Spacing should not be a growth will begin to sprout. A blended. Adjust seasoning to
problem since loose-leaf lettuces planting will yield'three to four taste.
can take crowding in a harvests. Add three cups of combined
container. They also grow In France, a mesculin salad is mesculin salad greens and toss
quickly; averaging four to six - ---- served-with_a simple_vin aigrette lightly just before serving. Serves
weeks from seed to harvest. dressing: four. _- - - -
Harvesting can begin when the 6-8 tbsp olive oil or salad oil The practicality of growing
plants are about six inches tall. 1-2 tbsp red wine vinegar mesculin salad greens in
The best time to harvest is just 1/2 tsp dry mustard containers is threefold; it's fun,
before`the salad is to be mixed. 1/8 tsp salt it's creative — and it's
The preferred method is to cut Fresh ground pepper, to taste economical.
See you at the
GODERICH
HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Fri., Sat. & Sun.
April 15, 16, 17
•PAVING STONE
INSTALLATIONS
*RETAINING WALLS
*STEP SYSTEMS
*BOB CAT SERVICE
•SNOW REMOVAL
•COMMERCIAL
*RESIDENTIAL
All our workmanship
is guaranteed
INTER -LOC
46tsIGO
5244221
Goderich
FREE
ESTIMATES
HOME & GARDEN GUIDE 94—PAGE 13
S TAT i
•..• .. MIK .. .. V
ON YOUR CELLULAR PHONE?
Let us Test Your Cellular Phone
Our cellular test equipment will
thoroughly check your cellular phone
and report on any weaknesses.
See Us At The
Home & Garden Show
PERTH ciyi
Communications-
, 273 3300
TWO WAY RADIO SALES AND SERVICE
1-800-585-9983
89 Lorne Avenue East, Stratford
We present our own.,.
OME & GARDEN
SHOW
at 88 Britannia Rd. Goderich
This Weekend Only!
Home & Garden Hours
Friday ... 8om • 8pm
Saturday ... eom - 4pm
Sunday ... 1 pm - 4pm
MOANS CIRCLES
AROVNQ
FIXED - EEL
MOWERS_
1 niquc front •wivel heck allow .;rich. Swivel Ststctn to nwt' ;in tutu)
trees and change direction easier than any other ttu n%er. "lite Swivel
S1:.tc'llt also r c ( ands c•quihl><•cl tc r mulch, side discharge and rc:tr lxig tt
1111e\I1a1-11.1.
LM21 SWIVEL SYSTEM
• Frun1 .a i\ cl \\ lied de\ir;n n 11 1)
Ir x king on. If nu n\ :u ru., incline.
• tiulx rrur "Writ hrrr, ret a hug
I k•rii nmdur c
• \:rc uu111 tip Ic.nc.and c Hiring. tc cr
(1)111x1,i it 1111' hu,Iu.l11.11
t 2,cr
• ulcdr,c 11,1,: c lgclnr>,g,cu•nh
11111 nn;h c 111111.
• Put%critdi.5lgrc•n};int. ill) r,t-
pull scut.
• 5-‘ car limitediaatt:urn illy Ixtit
111 t he 1111'intss: ' •
• \I l k-111:lmt'tk;tskit
t'
■
riens.
ALTLIZIFLIE
88 Britannia Rd.Goderich 524-5361