So, you have all that nutrient-rich compost that your red wiggler worms made out of your food and yard scraps. You understand that compost offers a better option to your yard than chemical-based feeds and products, but exactly how can you use that compost around your yard? Cover it Up: Have you used mulch in the past to cover your flower beds and under shrubs to protect against drought and weeds? Your dense compost can offer the same protection, at a fraction of the cost. Spread 2-3 inches of compost around your flowers, your trees, under your shrubs and your…
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Education / Uncle Jim’s Blog
Uncle Jim’s Blog
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3 Most Common Misconceptions about Composting
There has been a solid wave towards adoption of composting as a practice both on the commercial and residential end in the last few years, but there are still some of you that may be wary of starting your own compost bin. Yes, my composting friends, some of your neighbors, some of your friends, even some of your family members may avoid taking the composting plunge due to the following misconceptions. Read on and then take it upon yourself to educate them: The smell. The number one fear of the compost-challenged, this issue is usually the first derailer of any potential…
Read MoreComposting Tips in Chambersburg PA
The word and the practice of composting continues to spread. As the spring begins to really bloom, gardener-lovers are attending courses in their neighborhoods to learn new skills and tricks to beautify their yards and lead a greener life. TheRecordHerald.com reports on local classes in the Chambersburg PA area covering gardening and composting including: — “Composting,” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Cooperative Extension Office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane. The cost is $10. Environmental educator George Hurd and Master Gardener Jane Krumpe will present information on the various methods for producing compost.…
Read MoreQUIZ: Is your Yard Ready for Spring?
Finally, the weather has started to warm and the ground is thawing. Soon, buds will be popping out on trees and flowers blossoms will be bursting forth. Is your yard ready for the explosions of spring? Take the following quiz to be sure you’re ready to enjoy the spring. Have you prepped your yard for new growth with lime or other ph balancing products? Do you have sticks and rock debris around your yard that needs to be removed before you can aerate? Have you trimmed back any shrubs or plants that will bloom this year? (Rule of thumb: wait…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Compost Soil for Garden and Yard
Your yard is where you and your family spend the most time outdoors, so it’s probably true that you want to be as careful as possible about the products you use to feed your lawn and garden, for the best results for your yard and the highest safety levels for your family. Unfortunately, most garden feeds and yard fertilizers are full of harsh and sometimes toxic chemicals. These products may feed your grass and improve the growth rate of your veggies and plants, but they are toxic to your toddler that may want a tomato off the vine as they…
Read MoreRhode Island Turns to Compost Options
Gathering at the Rhode Island School of Design, about 200 community eco-minded community members heard argument s for a Compost Initiative in the state. According to the Providence Journal ”The goal of the Compost Initiative, sponsored by the Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund and the Southside Community Land Trust, is to remove all food scraps from the Rhode Island waste stream. Doing that could create green jobs, extend the life of the Central Landfill, produce electricity to sell and help residents grow their own food or buy locally grown food, said Greg Gerritt, conference organizer. Gerritt said it’s…
Read MoreTime to Scrap in New York
No, this isn’t a new boxing event or even street fighting. This particular scrap focus refers to the expansion of GrowNYC to six additional Greenmarket sites, two in Manhattan. The compost continues to be a success in the city of more than 19 million people. According to the Gay City News site: “Compost drop-offs can now be made at the Abingdon Square Greenmarket, West 12th Street and Eighth Avenue, on Saturdays, from 8am to 12:30pm; and at the Tribeca Greenmarket, at Greenwich and Chambers Streets, on Saturdays, from 8am to 1pm. The scraps will be transported to a compost facility and…
Read MoreBenefits of Red Wiggler Worms for Composting
You’ve heard about red wiggler worms in your compost research, but is there really a difference between this large, red-colored worm variety and the typical garden worm you may find as you turn over your garden soil? Wouldn’t is just be easy to dig up those worms and use them in your bin to make compost? Short answer – no. Composting, while it relies on your worms eating and secreting, is hard work even for worms. Here’s why you need to rely on red wiggler worms to get the most out of your worm composting this year: Size Matters. When…
Read MoreSpring Garden Prep
In these last few days of March, there are still alot of signs of winter left in the yard. Still hard soil, little grass and only buds on trees and plants. This is the time, however, to take stock of what your yard will need to brighten up for the warmer weather. Even if the ground is still too hard to fertilize yet, it’ll be necessary to clean up the mess left behind by winter’s visit before your garden can begin to grow again. Survey your garden and remove the sticks, rocks and fallen leaves that cover your plants and bulbs.…
Read MoreRed Wiggler Composting for Outdoor Fun
Finally. The birds are singing again, the air is warmer and fragrant with the smells of flowers and new grass. Spring is here. All your patience and diligence during the winter means that you can now get back outside with your worms and begin cultivating your compost! As the world wakes up again along with your compost worms, it’s time to take a look and see how they fared over the long, cold winter. Keeping up a ratio of about 500 worms, around ½ pound, for every cubic foot of worm bin will ensure the best composting. If you need…
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