Thursday, February 27, 2014

Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Backyard Composting Seminar


The Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Backyard Composting Seminar are... 

10) They teach you how easy it is to compost

9) You feel guilty adding more to the landfill when it can be made into something great for your soil

8) You have tried to compost and you can’t figure out why it isn’t working

7) You really just want that kitchen collector to adorn your counter top

6) The handy compost guide is the perfect 10 minute read

5) Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District is a leader in the State in educating people to reduce waste

4) Your plants will thank you for it

3) Our clay soil needs this organic matter

2) You want to be part of the exclusive set proudly sporting an “I ♥ Compost” bumper sticker

1) No matter how dedicated you are to zero waste, you just can’t bear to eat the skin of a kiwi

For more information and to register click here .






submitted by guest blogger, Jenny

Friday, February 14, 2014

Worm Bin Composting

The Worms Crawl In, The Worms Crawl Out …

Are you able to finish this tune from childhood? Back then worms gave me the heebie-jeebies, now I adore these animals. My two favorite happen to be the common earthworm that aerates and conditions our soil outside and the Eisenia fetida, also known as (and easier to say), red wigglers.


Originally from Europe, red wigglers are not tunnelers like those beauties I find in my garden soil, but flourish in rotting vegetation and are ideal for a contained system. These special worms create vermicompost which is jam-packed with nutrients.

Tools needed for a worm bin:
•    A plastic container with air holes drilled in the bottom and sides
•    A pound of red wigglers
•    Shredded paper or leaves dampened with de-chlorinated water for bedding
•    Fruit and vegetable scraps

Of course there is so much more to learn about vermicomposting and you can find a plethora of information on the web; in the book Worms Eat My Garbage , by Mary Appelhof; or even by attending a worm bin workshop.

Gotta go tend to my vermi-wormies!


Blog post created by Jenny

Thursday, February 6, 2014

It’s Never Too Cold to Compost

It’s been quite a winter around here. I think I can speak for everyone when I say, “Bring on spring!”

Since that darn groundhog saw his shadow leaving us with six more weeks of winter, we all need a little motivation to keep composting. As a passionate composter, I believe it’s never too cold to compost.


I asked some of my coworkers who are fellow composters how they stay motivated to take out the food scraps and tend to the compost piles in the winter time.

Here are the top ten thoughts and tips on composting in the cold:

{drum roll, please!}

10. Your dog has to go out there, share a moment with him.

9. Freeze and thaw helps break down the compost.

8. Gives me a good reason to check out the grounds of our property, inspect the gutters, and find animal tracks in the snow.

7. If you pick up leaves that you missed when cleaning up the yard, there may also be snow and ice with the leaves. The moisture is an added benefit, like a composting kit.

6. It keeps the neighbors guessing about what you’re doing out there!

5. The joy of walking in the fresh snow helps with the winter blahs. It’s invigorating to get out of the house and get some exercise.

4. Snow on the bin or added to the bin will jump start the pile in the spring.

3. If there is fresh snow, you can walk all over the yard so your wife, (husband or significant other) will think you have been busy.

2. My pile is all leaves right now. I don’t want to miss out on those kitchen scraps needed to help keep my compost balanced.

1. I can’t spend all winter in the garage.

So don’t be afraid to get out there in the cold and tend to your compost pile. Once you’re finished, come inside, plop down in the recliner, and enjoy a hot cocoa or steaming cup of tea. After all your hard work out in the cold, you deserve a break!