News & Updates

"Rotline" Question of the Week: Can I compost ice plant?

Sep 30 2008

The Solana Center Composter will now be featuring a "Rotline" Question of the Week! To submit a composting question to the "Rotline" please click the link on the right side of the page. This week's "Rotline" Question of the Week: Can I compost ice plant?

Kelp as a compost amendment

Sep 16 2008

Looking for an easy way to contribute micronutrients to your soil? Look no further than kelp! Kelp and other seaweeds that wash up as wrack on the beach can be a great soil/compost amendment adding both fluff and nutrients to your garden, but be sure and check your local regulations for collecting it off the beach.

Castes of thousands

Sep 8 2008

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="360" caption="Looking through a cylindrical mesh sieve, Dave Harrill pulls together worm castings that are ready to bag up for distribution Thursday at his Ramona home. "][/caption] I was recently forwarded an excellent article from a little over year ago about the worm farmers throughout the...

Vermicomposting in the Classroom!

Sep 3 2008

Start composting at your school! The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation offers Classroom Vermicomposting Presentations for schools in San Diego County. These presentations are fun and educational and include hands-on learning about: Recycling and composting Decomposition Worm Anatomy Ecosystems Life cycles of plants and animals...

Famous City Farmer!

Aug 20 2008

If you have called Solana Center's Rotline ((760) 436-7986 ex. 700) looking for worms or composting bins in the City of San Diego, we have probably suggested City Farmers Nursery in City Heights (4832 Home Avenue (@Euclid Ave)). Solana Center has had numerous composting workshops there and it's truly a fun place for gardeners or those...

The Value of Composting

Aug 11 2008

[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignright" width="300" caption=""There will always be discards in our society, but how much of that becomes waste is a matter of choice." www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org"][/caption]

How to: Sheet Composting

Aug 11 2008

Have space, organic materials and time? Try sheet composting! While there are many methods of sheet composting, here's a how-to to get you started! 1. Begin with a thick layer of cardboard or newspapers. This part of the process eliminates light below that layer and inhibits weed growth while adding carbon to the soil.2. Add a layer...

Yucky but useful, critters in your compost bin

Jul 28 2008

On the Solana Center Rotline" (760.436.7986 ext. 222), we answer a lot of questions about the critters that appear in a compost bin. Some animals should be kept out (such as rats!) but others should be encouraged. One such insect is the larvae of the black soldier fly, a native to our area that can eat much faster than even the hungriest...

Coffee Grounds Perk Up Your Compost Pile

Jul 19 2008

Looking for that perfect 'green' for your compost pile? Try out some coffee grounds! Most coffee shops will save their grounds for you and your garden if you ask...for more information and ideas for the uses of coffee grounds, check out this article from Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707171641.htm [...

Manure Management Video wins an Emmy

Jul 3 2008

Exciting news! The Manure Management video created by the County of San Diego, Rich Flammer, Sam the Cooking Guy and the Solana Center has won an local Emmy for Advanced Media - Public/Current/Community Affairs! Read more about the award and see who else won at the National Academy website: http://www.nataspsw.org/ If you haven't seen it...

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