46 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

As cold and snow covered as many parts of the country may be now (December 2013) spring is just around
the corner.


A reminder article about the value of Earthworms in compost piles (or just adding Earthworms to your
yard in general).
http://greenbuilding...lity-in-action/

Having said that; there are several types of Earthworms.

"The most common garden earthworm, is the nightcrawler (lumbricus terristris).

Garden earthworms are not to be confused with composting worms that can be kept
in containers.
L. terristris is a burrower, and will kill itself trying to burrow in a worm bin.
Composting worms cannot tolerate temperature extremes, and though they can survive inside a compost pile, will perish if left to their own in garden soil."

http://www.compost-b...om/column.shtml

(And a who knew?)
Earthworms can detect the motion of a robin (on the hunt for them)

[Shortpoet-GTD]

For the novice-
good tips here; including what to NOT put into your piles.
Via Care 2

http://www.care2.com...iving » Nature)

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Related-
This piece isn't dated, but it does state that Seattle has had a mandatory composting system in place since 2009.
The paragraph on Massachusetts isn't dated but they're considering it or have it in place?
Via Sustainablog-
http://sustainablog....9/compost-else/

And this piece from 2012-
http://eatdrinkbette...tty-much-trash/

[Green Gene]

People who garden and grow their own fruits and vegetables benefit most from compost piles and for others it serves no practical purpose.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Green Gene, on 04 October 2014 - 09:16 PM, said:

People who garden and grow their own fruits and vegetables benefit most from compost piles and for others it serves no practical purpose.

It serves a great purpose, even if people don't garden.
It keeps the food remnants out of the landfills and enriches the soil after it's "cooked" and spread around;
which benefits trees, shrubs and flowers in the area.

Food stuff's in landfills are compacted down with everything else and can take years to decompose because
of lack of oxygen and sunlight. It's wasted.
Our soil depletion rates are staggering because of overuse, chemicals and pollution. We have to replenish
the soils, plain and simple.
http://environment.a...odegradable.htm

See also-
http://www.altenergy...soil +depletion

[SheforACT]

You can also add garden soil to your compost. A layer of soil will help to mask any odors, and micro-organisms in the soil will accelerate the composting process.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

saver, on 02 April 2012 - 07:36 AM, said:

Just to add I also never use chemicals, nothing but food waste.

"Fresh" food waste. Never cooked stuff. It will only "rot" and not in a good way.