Posts Tagged ‘composting’
Composting 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…
Read MoreEasy Ways to Rat and Critter-Proof Your Compost Bin
A common misconception and one we are often asked about is whether composting will attract rats. Rats are quite prevalent in San Diego, particularly roof (or tree) rats. Palm tree and other dense vegetation (bougainvillea, honeysuckle) provide ideal habitats. Food is often supplied from fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and bird feeders. It is important to note…
Read MoreSquiggling into Summer with Worm Composting
Our temperate San Diego weather is usually perfect for accommodating the red wrigglers used for vermicomposting. Their preference is for temperature ranges of 55 – 77° F, but they can tolerate temperatures above and below this range. Temperatures should be measured inside the bin since they can vary significantly from external measurements. As we approach…
Read MoreThe Food Waste Hierarchy and Why Compost Matters
By Jami Wong, Marketing and Communications Manager If you’ve spent any time visiting the Solana Center lately, you may have heard us talking about the EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy. As municipal landfills start to fill up with food waste, this inverted pyramid has become an increasingly important tool to educate our community on the steps we…
Read MoreToo many slugs in my compost bin!
Do you have too many slugs in your compost bin? In a spray bottle, mix in 1 cup ammonia to one quart water. Go out at night and spray slugs wherever you find them. Ammonia will have no affect whatsoever on your compost. It will only kill slugs and snails. If you go slug hunting…
Read More“Rotline Question” of the Week: Composting Pumpkins?
It is pumpkin season, but now that you don’t need your carefully carved pumpkin any more, don’t throw it away! Pumpkin is a great addition to both your compost and worm bin! To add pumpkin to either bin, it is important that it is broken down into smaller pieces. Chop, cut, or saw the pumpkin…
Read More“Rotline” Question of the Week: Do I need to shred or grind my materials to compost them?
Shredding and grinding materials speeds up the process of composting. Smaller pieces will break down faster in your pile because it increases the surface area. This makes the material easier for bacteria to break down the material. You do not have to shred or grind your materials. The process will just take longer. If you…
Read More“Rotline” Question of the Week: How can I make my own compost bin?
Making your own compost bin at home can be easy and rewarding, it it doesn’t take a lot of material or know-how. Here are a couple of designs we recommend: Stackable wood bin: minimal carpentry skills needed, can use recycled lumber (as long as it is not treated) Wooden pallet bin: all you need are…
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