Soil & Compost
Are Compost and Soil the Same Thing?
Have you ever found yourself wondering if compost and soil are the same thing?While they are both beneficial, they are not quite the same. We’ll tell you why! Compost is a small but important part of soil. Compost is made from your decomposed kitchen and yard waste and becomes the living part of soil. Soil is…
Read MorePassive or Active Composting: Which is right for you?
When asked what’s keeping folks from starting to compost at home, one of the most common responses is that they lack the time to do it. Time is a precious resource in our modern lives, and living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle often takes extra effort. However, we at Solana Center always try to emphasize that there…
Read MoreBuild Better Soil and Improve Profitability with Regenerative Farming
Changing environmental regulations and increasing water costs are a challenge to the profit margins for San Diego farms and ranches. But current scientific research on regenerating soil health shows that carbon farming in addition to growing cash crops can be beneficial both economically and environmentally, including: Improving water retention Restoring degraded soil leading to better,…
Read MoreSifting Compost: What a Fine Idea
Our fervent followers may have noticed and supported our recent trommel fundraising campaign for the Food Cycle program. Thanks to generous donations the trommel was fully funded and is now benefiting Food Cycle “tromm”endously. We are extraordinarily grateful. While our fundraising pitch explained that a trommel can expedite the composting process, we’d like to share…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Do red wigglers belong in my backyard compost bin?
Rotline Question: Should I put red wiggler worms in my backyard compost bin? Answer: This is a question that comes up often when folks visit our store to purchase composting worms, and we often have to urge folks not to add worms to their backyard bin. The reason lies in the fundamental differences between traditional…
Read MoreBenefits of a Mechanized Trommel
How will Solana Center’s mechanized trommel benefit you? Investing in a trommel has multiple benefits, but the primary purpose for acquiring this equipment is to accommodate the growth of the Food Cycle program and process compost faster. A trommel will: allow the Food Cycle program to grow, serving more local families, individuals and organizations; divert more food…
Read MoreHealthy Soils Make Food and People Healthier
Healthy soils help make a healthy environment and nourishing food for our bodies. This winter, Solana Center worked with local farmers and ranchers to discuss the state’s Healthy Soils Program, strategize ways to implement best management practices, and improve productivity. According to the Farm Bureau, San Diego County has more small farms than any other county in the US…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Are Mushrooms Bad for my Compost Bin?
Fear not! Fungi are essential players in a functioning vermi-compost system. They are part of the food chain going on in your bin; while we often think that worms are directly eating our food waste, what they’re really after are the microorganisms that digest our food. This includes bacteria, which can break down simple carbon compounds…
Read MoreComposting with Worms: Wiggling through Winter
Temperature is incredibly important to the productivity and livelihood of worms. Just like us, worms are happiest in moderate temperatures, so they may also need some help to thrive during the cooler months. Fortunately, most of San Diego County rarely experiences freezing temperatures, which can be deadly to worms. After all, they’re mostly water! Nonetheless,…
Read MoreMaster Composter Class Tours Compost Facility, Family Dairy
Students in Solana Center’s Fall Master Composter course, sponsored by the County of San Diego, were treated to an excellent example of how composting can solve local waste issues during a field trip on November 3rd. The class visited San Pasqual Valley Soils and Konyn Dairy, adjacent businesses that partner together to make the most of…
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