Gardening
Traditional Composting, Vermicomposting, and Bokashi: What’s the Difference?
Through our educational outreach, Solana Center strives to present our community with a range of options for diverting their food waste and creating healthy soil through composting. But sometimes, when presented with many choices, we can be left wondering, “What’s the right method for me?” In this article, we’ll explore some common composting practices to…
Read MoreWhich Composting Method is Right for You?
Have you ever wondered “what is the best composting method for me?” There are many options for how to personally deal with food waste and a lot of different factors to consider. Not everyone is ready to jump in headfirst with a pile or a worm bin (but if you are more power to you!)…
Read MorePrepping Your Fall Garden
“Land, then, is not merely soil; it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants and animals.” Aldo Leopol…
Read MoreClimate Solutions: How to Manage Weeds Without Toxic Chemicals
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Before discussing how to eliminate weeds, there are some common weeds that are both edible and nutritious. Harvesting free greens from our gardens is one way to approach the plants we did not intend to have in our…
Read MoreClimate Solutions: Can Weeds be Composted?
There is not a simple yes or no answer to this query. Weeds have many nutrients so they are a great addition to the compost pile, but you do not want compost filled with viable weed seeds. The best time to take care of weeds is when they are small and have not established deep…
Read MoreClimate Solutions: How Do I Add Compost to Container Plants?
Container gardening is an incredible solution to a variety of growing woes, especially when it comes to the creative and economical use of space. Gardeners lacking backyards or yards with full sun exposure, gardeners working with truly difficult soil, and new gardeners looking to gain confidence in the craft are common beneficiaries of the practice.…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Aerobic Composting and Anaerobic Digestion – What’s the Difference?
This was an inquiry to our community Rotline, a hotline where community members may ask composting and waste questions and receive step-by-step answers from one of our expert staff members. Rotline Question: What is the temperature range for a compost pile that has gone anaerobic? Answer: Anaerobic digestion can occur at two temperature ranges: between…
Read MoreWorm Tea, Compost Tea & Leachate
Did you know that you can steep your finished compost or vermicompost in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid called “compost tea” that enriches soil and reduces plant pests and disease? Worm tea, a type of compost tea made from vermicompost, has the same benefits as worm castings but in liquid form. Castings are produced…
Read MoreRainwater is Great in your Compost Pile!
You might hear our educators telling you to take the lid off your compost bin when rain is in the forecast. Why is that so important? First, the rainwater is free hydration for your bin. Compost bins are frequently dry in our Southern California climate. Also, rainwater is basically pure…there are no chemicals or salts,…
Read MoreMental Wellness And Gardening
Written by Master Composter Volunteer Mary Purpura, MA, HTR If you garden and compost, you know there are many physical benefits. Digging, hand tilling and turning compost piles can all increase your heart rate, offering a boon to your cardiovascular system. Weeding and planting maintain and improve hand strength. All that time spent outdoors tying…
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