Green Calgary Composting Guide

Green Calgary: #100-301 14th St NW, Calgary, AB. T2N 2A1 | www.greencalgary.org | 403.230.1443 ext. 222 PART 1 - BASIC COMPOSTING Contents

Part 1 - Basic Composting

What is ?...... 3 Why should I compost?...... 3 Composting benefits:...... 3 The compost heap...... 3 What can be composted? ...... 3 Do not compost...... 3 A basic approach to composting...... 3 How Do You Tell When compost is finished?...... 3 Screening the compost...... 4

Part 2 - Detailed Information

What is soil?...... 5 What is good, healthy soil?...... 5 How do I test the soil?...... 5 How do I interpret the results?...... 5 Common in the Compost Heap...... 6 Should I buy or build a composter?...... 7 How big should the composter be?...... 7 Bin placement...... 7 How to build a wooden compost bin...... 7 Compost tea...... 7 Making compost tea...... 7 How to build a wooden compost bin (Click for Link)...... 7 Leaf mould...... 8 Making leaf mould...... 8 Grasscycling...... 8 How to begin...... 8 Common questions about grasscycling...... 8 Green manure...... 9 The benefits of green manures...... 9 Mushroom compost...... 9 How is mushroom compost used?...... 9 Where can I get mushroom compost?...... 9 Frequently asked questions...... 10

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 2 PART 1 - BASIC COMPOSTING What is compost? environment. Composters can be made A basic approach to or purchased. Compost is a rich mix of organic matter composting such as kitchen waste, remains, Whether you use a DIY or a store-bought leaves and grass clippings and What can be composted? compost bin, these basic steps are manure piled together so that it rots important to ensure that your recipe of Greens (nitrogen-rich) down to a fine, crumbly consistency. garden and kitchen wastes decomposes Compost is a premium soil conditioner, • Fruit and veggie scraps without offensive smells or attracting replacing what has been stripped from • Banana peels and apple cores unwanted pests. the soil through cultivation. It provides • Corn cobs (chopped) 1. Mix greens and browns, around 50 vital nutrients, while improving soil • Coffee grounds percent of each by volume texture and drainage. Organic matter • Tea bags 2. Add several handfuls of garden will turn into a dark-coloured humus and • Plant debris soil or finished compost (rich with eventually stabilize (or not breakdown • Weeds that have not gone to seed microorganisms) further) after a period of time. • Tree fruit and evergreen needles 3. Moisten the pile thoroughly with water • Flowers 4. Aerate by turning the pile once a week Why should I compost? Browns (carbon-rich) 5. Add moisture and turn as needed. • Coffee filters Keep the pile moist and aired. Organic materials are a valuable 6. Cover the pile to keep pests & kids out resource in the garden as either compost • Dried leaves or grass • Dryer/vacuum lint or mulch. Mulches and compost improve For more information, read The • Cat and dog hair soil texture and plant health, prevent Composting Process in Part II for • Human hair erosion and hold moisture and nutrients. more details. Their production and use in this way can • Wood chips/shavings enable a typical household to reduce • Straw the amount of garbage they send to the • Newspaper • Wine corks (non-synthetic) How Do You Tell When landfill by one third to one half. Finished compost is finished? compost made from household wastes • cage cleaning is free to the householder. • Peanut hulls For home composting purposes, compost may be assumed to be fully “finished” Waste diverted to composting or Other materials that can be added in when a number of indicators are obtained. mulching saves the City of Calgary moderation Stable compost has been described as (and ultimately the taxpayer) the cost Algae, blood meal, bone meal, cotton dark brown or greyish black in colour, of collecting our organic material rags, feathers, felt waste, granite dust, with a sweet, earthy smell and a loose, and disposing of it. Landfill space is hay, hops, leather waste & dust, leaf crumbly texture that feels and looks like conserved and climate change inducing mould, manure, muck, peat moss, rope topsoil. Some large pieces remain but greenhouse gases are reduced. (non-synthetic), sawdust, seaweed, soil, everything’s a relatively uniform dark straw, string (non-synthetic), wood ash, brown/grey colour. The centre of the pile Composting benefits: wool, rags (non-synthetic). is no longer hot, and if you turn the pile it no longer heats up. • Recycles organic waste • Reduces pressure on landfill sites Do not compost • Saves the city (and ultimately the • Meat, bones, fish scraps: these taxpayer) money materials attract dogs, cats, • Creates a free soil conditioner & rodents and take a long time to • Saves money on other fertilizers break down • Reduces the need for chemical use • Oil, fatty material, dairy products: • Reduces the need to use scare oils and greases take a long time resources like peat in the garden to break down and they affect the • Suppresses plant disease breakdown of other materials too; • Makes more nutrients available to they also attract insects • Pet litter: may contain disease • Improves soil structure and texture organisms harmful to humans (helps break down heavy clay soil) • Diseased plants: the heat of a home compost pile may not kill the The compost heap diseased organisms or any insects or eggs infecting a plant Compost can be made in either a pile • Dishwater: most dishwashing soaps or in a bin. Bins or composters help contain perfumes and greases keep a compost pile neat, provide • Barbecue ashes/coals: highly some weather protection, and will resistant to decomposition and keep out rodents and pests. They Finished, screened compost. Ready for contain excessive amounts of sulphur mulching or digging into the garden. are recommended for a close urban

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 3 PART 1 - BASIC COMPOSTING Using finished compost There are a variety of uses for finished compost. Its most beneficial use is as a soil conditioner incorporated into an ornamental or vegetable garden or spread on a lawn as a top dressing. Though low in nutrient value compared to chemical fertilizers, compost nutrients are in a slow release form due to their chemical bonding with organic matter. Mixed with garden soil, it will help to improve its water retention properties, its workability and pH buffering capacity. Materials in the compost that have not really broken down, such as woody twigs, may be screened out and put back into the compost pile. Finished compost can also be used as a potting soil amendment for house plants. The caution here is that it should be completely sterilized first through heat treatment in order not to infect house This compost is almost finished. Screening will remove sticks, straw and any unfinished material. plants with insects that migrate into Timing is everything. Be wary of using fresh compost too quickly, as is may rob plants the compost pile during its later cooler of valuable nutrients if it is not fully decomposed. It is better to leave it for several stages. These insects are useful in the weeks until you are sure the microbial life has died down completely. Alternatively, you further breakdown of organic material may opt to do a “bag test” as described below. in a compost pile, but are a nuisance around house plants. The bag test. Compost readiness can also be tested through a “bag test”. Place a handful of compost in a zip-lock bag and leave it for a week. At this point open the As previously stated, the volume of bag and have a sniff. If it smells of ammonia or sourness, then the microbes are finished compost produced is very still at work and the compost still needs time to mature. Test the compost again in small in comparison to the volume of several weeks. the original waste materials. It can be used virtually any place in the garden. The more usual problem with Screening the compost experienced home composters is an insufficient quantity of the material If using compost for mulch, you may want to screen it. People planning to dig their rather than an oversupply. compost into the soil do not need to be as concerned with screening, although it can help with removing large materials that haven’t completely decomposed. Screens are commercially available but it is easy enough to make your own. Simply build a simple frame and stretch 1/2 inch wire mesh over it. Push finer material through the mesh, removing larger pieces that can be either dug into the garden or put back into the compost heap.

Use compost as mulch that can be spread on top of the garden in early spring and late fall.

This homemade screen was built to fit on a wheelbarrow. With a little pressure, compost falls between the screen, ready for use.

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 4 PART 2 - DETAILED INFORMATION What is soil? How do I test the soil? »» Compost is an example of organic matter because it “contains carbon” Soil is made up of four main components: Test 1: If you are unsure of the type of that comes from dead plant material. rock or mineral particles, organic matter, soil you have, a simple jar test will help. Manure, sawdust, or rice hulls are air and water. Rock and mineral makes Take a wide-mouth jar and fill it half-full also organic matter. These materials, up roughly 90% of the soil, while the other of the soil you are testing. This is best however, will take longer to breakdown 10% is comprised of organic matter. accomplished by taking a 15 cm (6inch) and could reduce nitrogen availability in Although only comprising 10% of soil, slice of soil from your garden, making the short-term. You may also grow cover the importance of organic matter cannot sure that you have at least 2 cups of crops and incorporate them into the soil. by understated. It is organic matter mixed soil. Now, fill the jar until it is nearly full. Remove any large pebbles, – the various stages of decomposing »» Not all organic materials are of high plant residues, leaves, animal manure, sticks, or plant parts. Add a teaspoon of salt to aid the clay in settling out and quality. Compost is generally considered et cetera – that makes the soil work. a high quality organic matter. Without it, a soil will quickly deteriorate, seal the jar. Shake the jar vigorously until the soil is well mixed in. Watch the and unhealthy soil creates unhealthy »» When the results show that the soil has plants and people. different components settle out and get ready to mark the different layers with a less than 2% organic matter, add more The rock and mineral component is marker. Sand is heaviest so it will settle organic matter. When it is between 2 and 5%, add high quality organic comprised of silt, sand and clay. All soils out first, usually within 30 seconds. matter. For example, add 50-100 lbs of have varying proportions, influencing Make your mark. Silt will take up to 30 compost per 100 sq. ft. of garden. the soils ability to retain water, nutrients minutes to settle out and after marking and air. Any extreme is undesirable. it, leave the jar to settle overnight. After Sandy soils are prone to rapid drainage 24 hours you will have noticed that the »» The recommended amount to maintain and nutrient loss, while clay soils suffer final layer has been formed. This is the organic levels is 25-50 lbs per 100 from poor drainage, excluding air, water clay layer. To calculate the percentages sq. ft. Adding small amounts (e.g., 25 and thus, nutrients. of each component, measure the height lbs per 100 sq. ft.) can also promote of each layer and divide the total height biological activity (growth of beneficial into the height of one layer; multiply the microorganisms and fungi) in the soil What is good, healthy soil? result by 100. that can help break organic matter into humus. Good soil has equal parts of silt, sand Test 2: You can also test the soil by and clay, often referred to as loam. In rubbing a sample between your fingers. an ideal soil, the silt, sand and clay If it feels gritty and crumbles in your particles are grouped together with hand, there is a lot of sand. If, on the organic matter to form large particles other hand, the soil smears between your called aggregates. fingers and feels smooth, the soil has silt Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants. Healthy and clay. A moist sample will roll into a Food does not plants are dependent on good soil, ball if there is a high proportion of clay. decompose into carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (provided in the form of water and air) and a soil in the landfill. number of essential major nutrients How do I interpret the results? and micronutrients. Major nutrients Soil analysis is important if you wish include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) to manage the nutrients in your soil and potassium (K), together known as to get the best results for your plants. N-P-K, as well as calcium, magnesium, The results can help you plan your and sulfur. garden by helping you choose the pH or the acidity or alkalinity level type and quantity of fertilizers and soil These are the macronutrients. Compost »» The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where amendments that are best for the plants raises the level of organic matter and 7 is neutral (the pH of distilled water). provides nitrogen, phosphorus and in your garden. The soil analysis may potassium. Compost increases the emphasize the physical, chemical, or »» Below 7 is acidic; lime your soil to availability of existing soil nutrients while biological properties of the soil sample increase its alkalinity. Above 7 is also supplying additional amounts already that you analyze yourself or send to a alkaline. contained in the compost. soil lab. Organic Matter Micronutrients are also called trace elements »» Most crops make maximum use of because only a small amount is required »» Organic matter is important for the fertilizers and soil amendments when for healthy plant growth. They include formation of soil structure, reducing pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. Most iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc and compaction, and retaining plant gardeners aim for 6.5. molybdenum. Crops that are void or deficient nutrients. The more organic matter in in micronutrients may fail to provide humans the soil, the better. Hard and/or very »» Learn what plants like highly acidic with dietary needs, even if the plants don’t light coloured soils usually mean it’s (such as azaleas) or alkaline soil appear to be suffering Deficiencies can be low on organic matter. avoided by routinely adding compost. and match the plants with the soil or vice versa.

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 5 PART 2 - DETAILED INFORMATION

Phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen are the humus level will increase CEC and the three major macronutrients required this process may take several years. by crops. »» Phosphorus is important for seed The Composting Process Common Organisms in germination, root development, vegetable »» Composting is a lot like cooking. the Compost Heap and fruit maturity and quality. It improves If you have the right proportions of nitrogen absorption by the plant. the right ingredients, you’ll get fairly • Psychrophiles (“cold-loving”): good results. Carbon and nitrogen are low temperature that »» Potassium is important for the essential elements to the compost work during the frosty months plants’ over-wintering ability. Disease heap and getting the correct balance from late fall to early spring. resistance, growth, and longevity. It is necessary for making good is important especially for legumes compost. The joy, though, comes from • Mesophiles (“medium- because it helps soil bacteria around using materials you have on hand and temperature-loving”): mid- the roots to fix nitrogen for the legumes. still getting pretty good results. We temperature bacteria that don’t need to get hung up about not thrive at temperatures of »» Nitrogen and Nitrate can be requested have the “perfect” mix because rarely 20-30 degrees Celsius. in a soil test because they may not be does anyone have the perfect mix. • Thermophiles (“heat-loving”): part of the typical test package. the heat-lovers that work »» With good mix of carbon and nitrogen at temperatures of 40-70 rich materials, along with sufficient Calcium and Magnesium degrees Celsius. They are the moisture and the beneficial bacteria workhorses of biodegradation. »» Calcium is important for cell that thrive in these in environments, nutrition. Magnesium is important the compost process begins. Aerating • Fungi: such as actinomycetes for plant photosynthesis. If tests (stirring, turning, poking) the pile and show that calcium is low compared and streptomycetes, produce keeping the moisture levels right (see natural antibiotics. to magnesium, calcitic lime is added below) will ensure that the compost to increase the soil pH. If magnesium pile will work, as it should. • : as the most is low, Dolomitic lime is added to numerous on the increase the soil pH. »» Moisture makes it happen. Keeping planet, nematodes prey upon the compost pile moist is essential if bacteria, protozoa and fungal »» The pH rating will be high when composting is going to happen. Dry piles spores. calcium is high. The ability of the just sit there, while overly wet piles can plant to absorb some nutrients will begin to stink. Ideally, the compost pile • Mites: feed on yeasts that are be impaired and you may have to should be able to “breathe” and this in fermenting material. add some sulfur – which is found in is best judged when the material feels gypsum - to remedy the deficiency. like a wrung-out sponge. If dust kicks • Springtails: feed on fungi up when you stir the pile it is probably • Wolf spiders: do not build CEC or Cation Exchange Capacity too dry. If the pile smells sour or like webs but roam freely, feeding ammonia it is too wet. »» CEC refers to the soil’s ability to on arthropods. hold and release positively charged nutrients called cation. These are • Cenjtipedes: commonly found atoms or molecules with a positive in healthy soil communities. electric charge, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. • Ground beetles: feed on various organisms, seeds and vegetative matter. »» The soil type, pH levels, and the amount of organic matter (e.g., • Slugs and snails: aid in the compost) in the soil determine the decomposition of organic CEC level. The higher the clay and matter. organic matter content, the higher the CEC. Sandy soil has a lower CEC • Worms: consume organic level. Above: The Wingdigger is an matter and pass on their easy to use compost aerator. A pitchfork, broken hockey worm castings (worm poop) »» CEC can range from 0 to 100, where stick or any garden implement 100 represent the capacity of pure may be used to stir or turn the humus to hold and release cations. compost heap.

»» In general, you will want to increase CEC by adding good quality compost or planting cover crops. Building up

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 6 PART 2 - DETAILED INFORMATION Should I buy or build a composter? Compost tea The correct decision as to what composter to build or buy will depend upon a careful Compost tea is sprayed directly onto crop consideration of a number of factors such as the amount of material to be composted, leaves, restoring beneficial microbes to the amount of room available, the cost, its appearance and the amount of time and the soil and plant. Beneficial microbes labour will be devoted to operating it. Home composters can be made of various protect plants from fungal infections and combinations of wood, plastic, and metal. other disease-causing organisms. Compost tea also improves nutrient uptake and retention, soil tilth and root depth. Starting with rich compost, a compost tea brewer can grow and multiply the beneficial microbes by 1,000 times or more simply by feeding and protecting them for 72 hours under the right conditions.

Making compost tea Step 1: Once you have fully mature, earthy-smelling compost, it is time to brew compost tea. You will need: • A bucket (5-gallon plastic bucket works well) • A few aquarium supplies • A pump large enough to run three bubblers or air stones • Several feet of tubing Garden Gourmet Composter – commercially A homemade bin made from wood from used • A gang valve which distributes the available compost bin made from 100% wooden pallets. air from the pumps to the tubes that recycled plastic. These bins are available supply the bubblers year-round at the Green Calgary Store. • Three bubblers • A stick to stir the mixture • Unsulphured molasses (pref. organic) How big should the composter be? • An old pillow case, tea towel or stocking to strain the tea. This will depend on the amount of material you have and the amount of room available • An extra bucket is handy to decant for your bin(s). With an average Calgary lot, most of which is given over to lawn, one the tea to two holding type bins should be adequate. As decomposition occurs in the compost bin, material shrinks to a large extent. Finished compost will only occupy from 10% to • If you are using municipal water it is 40% of the original waste volume. important to leave the water sitting out for several hours to evaporate off the chlorine. Chlorine will kill off the Bin placement beneficial in the compost, so make sure the water is not A composter should be placed on a well-drained site to prevent the material from straight from the tap. becoming water logged. A sunny location will help it heat up and speed decomposition. In an urban setting, a composter should be sited in a yard so that its presence and Step 2: Once you have safe water, start operation is not a nuisance to the neighbours. by loosely filling the bucket half full with compost. Cut a length of tubing Convenience should be the number one consideration when selecting a site. If the and attach one end to the pump and the sunniest place in your yard is 100 feet from the door, it might not get used, especially other to the gang valve. Cut three more in winter. Try to pick the sunniest convenient spot for you bin. This way it will get lengths of tubing, so that they easily used, even if decomposition isn’t happening at the fastest rate. reach from the rim to the bottom of the bucket. Connect each one to a port on How to build a wooden compost bin the gang valve and connect a bubbler to How to build a wooden compost bin (Click for Link) each of the ends. Least expensive wood pallet instructions Step 3: Hang the gang valve on the lip Sturdy> Least 3-bin expensivesystem instructions wood pallet instructions of the bucket and bury the bubblers at Wood> &Sturdy Wire 3-binbin instructions system instructions the bottom, under the compost. Fill the Low >impact Wood wire& Wire mesh bin instructions instructions bucket to within 7.5 cm (3 inches) of Concrete> Low block impact bin wire instructions mesh instructions the rim with water, and start the pump. > Concrete block bin instructions

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 7 PART 2 - DETAILED INFORMATION

Step 4: Once it’s going, add 1 oz. moisture-retaining surface mulch. Using lawn often enough so that no more than of molasses, stirring vigorously. The leaf mould can replace the need to use 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is molasses feeds the bacteria, helping the peat – a resource that takes thousands cut in any one mowing. Frequent mowing beneficial species get well established. of years to form – or shredded bark to will produce short clippings that will not After stirring, rearrange the bubblers so condition the soil. Using leaves that fall cover up the grass surface. You may have they’re on the bottom and well spaced. annually is a sustainable and free option to cut the lawn every 7 days when the If you can, stir the teas several times for improving soil condition. lawn is growing fast but only every 7 to each day. Stirring moves more of the 14 days when the lawn is growing slowly. organisms from the compost and into You can grasscycle with most any the tea. The bubblers will have to be Making leaf mould mower (push, electric or gas). The repositioned after each stirring. Piling leaves up in some form of a mower collection bag should be removed Step 5: After 3 days remove the aerating container and leaving them to rot down to allow clippings to drop on the lawn. equipment. Let the brew sit for 15 or create leaf mould. The ideal container However, if your mower does not have 20 minutes until most of the compost is at least 1 m X 1 m in size, and this a safety flap covering the opening is settled out, straining into the second can be done in a wire mesh cage, or where the bag fits into the chute, it is bucket or into a sprayer. You’ll have 2 even in a plastic garbage bag. Leaves important that you purchase a retrofit gallons of tea. Use the tea within one are best collected after a rainfall, when kit from your local retailer. the leaves are well soaked. Stuffing the hour if possible. You can put the soils Most lawnmower manufacturers have moist leaves into the bin or bag and back into the compost pile. developed “mulching” mowers which cut leaving them for a year, watching to Step 6: If your garden is fairly healthy, grass blades into small pieces and force make sure they don’t dry out will yield spraying the plants with compost tea them into the soil. These types of mowers a young leaf mould that will help to in the spring will carry the benefits are effective in grasscycling and have improve your soil. throughout the season. If you’ve had become very popular. They are sold at problems, it may be worth spraying many yard and garden equipment retailers, monthly to increase the number of nurseries, and home supply stores. beneficial organisms. To prevent Grasscycling damping-off, spray the soil with tea as What is grasscycling? soon as the ground is planted. Grasscycling is the simple practice Common questions about Note: aeration equipment is important to of leaving grass clippings on the lawn grasscycling avoid the organisms from using up all of when mowing. Once cut, grass clippings Does Grasscycling Cause Thatch? No! the oxygen and creating an anaerobic soup. first dehydrate, and then decompose, Anaerobic tea may harm your plants. The tea quickly disappearing from view. Research has shown that grass roots are must brew for two or three days and then the primary cause of thatch, not grass used immediately. Rainwater is also best for Grasscycling: clippings. Thatch is composed primarily the compost tea process. »» Encourages a healthier lawn by of roots, stems, rhizomes, and other returning nutrients to the soil beneath plant materials. These plant materials the lawn. contain large amounts of lignin (fibrous material) and decompose slowly. Grass »» Reduces work because you don’t clippings are approximately 80-85 have to bag or rake and dispose of percent water with only small amounts your clippings. of lignin, and decompose rapidly. Does Grasscycling Spread Lawn »» Saves you money because you don’t Disease? No! have to pay for disposal of your clippings. Improper watering and fertilizing have a much greater impact on disease »» Benefits the environment by naturally spread than grasscycling. If a desirable recycling the clippings. environment for turf grass disease is present, infestation will occur whether »» Simply put, grasscycling is good for clippings are collected or not! your lawn and can help you reduce Will Grasscycling Make My Lawn Look waste. Learn how easy it is for you to Bad? No! The compost tea set up. begin grasscycling. If a lawn is properly mowed, watered, and fertilized, grasscycling can actually Leaf mould produce a healthier looking lawn. It is Leaf mould is one of the longest lasting How to begin important to cut the lawn frequently to produce small clippings that will organic materials. It improves the Proper mowing is required for successful physical structure of the soil, helping decompose quickly. If a lawn is not cut grasscycling. Cut grass when the frequently and clippings are left on the to improve soil fertility. Leaf mould surface is dry, and keep mower blades can be dug into the garden or used as lawn, it will produce a “hay-like” look, sharp. Follow the “1/3 Rule”: mow your which can be unsightly.

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 8 PART 2 - DETAILED INFORMATION Green manure weeds. Structure is improved when mushroom compost into the top 10-cn organic material is added. Some green layer of the garden soil. »» Green manures differ from compost manures take up nitrogen from the air, in that they are plants, such as rye, improving the soil characteristics. Many »» It may be applied early spring and buckwheat or clover. Their regular use have extensive root systems, improving can have a transformative effect on again in late fall before putting the drainage and bringing up minerals that garden to bed. soil and the plants that grow in it. The other plants can’t reach. process is straightforward – seeds are sown, plants are allowed to grow Where can I get mushroom for a certain amount of time, and then Mushroom compost they are dug into the soil. As they compost? What is mushroom compost? decompose, nutrients are added to »» All Seasons Mushroom Inc. (formerly the soil. »» Also called Spent Mushroom Substrate, Rol-land Mushroom Farm), on the east mushroom compost is a by-product side of the QEW (Hwy 2), half a miles »» Green manures are particularly useful of the mushroom growing process. south of the Crossfield overpass. when sown in late summer or early It is not compost made with rotted autumn. The ground is still warm mushrooms. Rather, it is made from a »» For more information, call 403-946- and if it lays bare, nutrients may be combination of some of the following 4395. May is usually the month of its simply washed away if nothing is materials: hay, straw, straw horse Customer Appreciation Week, when there to take them up. Hardy plants bedding, poultry litter, cottonseed mushroom substrate is given away like clovers, tares, and grazing rye are meal, cocoa shells, gypsum, and free if you load your own vehicle. It is left to grow over winter, digging them sphagnum peat moss. available in bulk, in bags or you can into the soil the following year. If you bring your own containers. have extra room in the garden, you »» After mushrooms are harvested, the may want to plant a crop in the spring mushroom compost is removed and and let it grow for an entire year. The piled in large heaps outdoors where soil that receives the nutrients will be it continues to decompose for one or Over 50% of household much improved. more years. It may be steam treated waste could be composted! by the farmer prior to removal to »» Green manures are also useful when eliminate any , pathogens and reclaiming poor land, or when creating weed seeds as is the case in some a new garden. Depending on the seed American states (e.g., Pennsylvania) type, they can either be planted in that require this procedure if the rows (larger seeds) or broadcast compost will be used in farms as a sowed (smaller seeds) – where seeds soil amendment. are broadcast over the ground and raked in. »» Like other , mushroom compost is an organic soil amendment »» When plants are young, the plant rich in nutrients, has high water and matter will decompose quickly. Plants nutrient holding capacity, and exhibits should be dug in before they get no nitrogen draw down problems. slightly woody and tough. Digging in is best done with a sharp spade. »» Mushroom compost is considered to Plant material should be dug in 5 to have a high root-burning potential. 10 inches. Once a green manure has Why? Because of its high salt content been dug in, some time must elapse and acidity that can be harmful to before planting the desired crop. young and tender plants as well as This can take several weeks but it to some seeds. It should be used depends on the maturity of plants, sparingly to avoid burning the plant how much they have been shredded, roots to the point where they cannot and the temperature of the soil. A absorb water easily. tender mustard crop in the height of summer can have a turn around time of one to two weeks. How is mushroom compost used? The benefits of green manures »» According to the Calgary Horticultural Society, “let the mushroom compost Green manures protect and enhance the sit for a few months to let it mellow.” soil. They protect the soil from nutrient loss by taking up nutrients that are otherwise carried away by rain. A bushy »» Jim Hole recommends blending no green layer is also great at suppressing more than a 2 cm layer of spent

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Frequently asked questions and pet waste is added until the hole composter fills up, kitchen wastes may is full. The unit is designed to compost be stored outside in sealed containers Can I compost weeds or diseased the waste anaerobically, releasing the or plastic bags and left to freeze. Odour plants? nutrients into the surrounding soil. Once is not a problem with these materials in Broad leaf weeds that have not gone to the bin is full, it is moved to another a frozen state. In the spring, the wastes seed may be safely composted at home. place in the yard to start the cycle over may undergo a number of freeze thaw Care must be taken with those that again. Note: this unit is NOT to be used cycles that will aid in the breakdown of have. Weeds that spread by rhizomes in vegetable gardens! their cell structure once they are placed (runners), such as crab grass, should Pet wastes from certain herbivores such in the compost pile. not be placed into a compost pile fresh, as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, A compost pile will become active again even if shredded. They will be acceptable however, are not pathogenic and may be as ambient temperatures warm up. The if they are first dried out thoroughly. composted in the usual manner. kitchen wastes that were stared aver Spreading them out in the sun can do the winter and added to the pile should this. Placing them on pavement is an What is the ideal size of the materials put into the compost pile? be mixed with drier materials such as effective method for quick drying. leaves or straw to absorb the excess Finally, diseased plants should not Materials should be broken into water generated from freezing. be added to a home compost pile small pieces and well mixed to evenly distribute the organic materials and How do I prevent or solve an odour because of the possibility of the disease problem? organisms surviving the composting create air voids. If materials are left too process and propagating further as the large, they will take an extremely long A compost heap that’s too wet can finished material is used throughout the time to decompose. cause some problems, such as foul garden. Do I need a bin or container to smell. Aerating (stirring) the pile and compost? allowing it to dry out will help with thi Can I compost plant material treated problems. Adding dried leaves, small with & pesticides? No. The composting process is a natural quantities or sawdust or shredded This is not recommended, as these one and will take place in an open paper will help to reduce moisture. Dry compounds may persist in the compost pile as well as a compost bin. Bins or topsoil sprinkled on top of a compost pile, spreading to the soil and affecting composters help keep a compost pile pile will also act as an absorbent for the beneficial organisms. neat, provide some weather protection, offensive odours. and will keep out rodents and pests. Can I compost paper? They are recommended for a close urban Another possible reason for odours from a home compost pile is the addition Small amounts of certain types of paper, environment. Composters can be made of improper materials such as meat, such as shredded newsprint pulp, coffee or purchased. grease and dairy products. In addition filters and tea bags How long does it take to produce to being slow to break down, they also are acceptable in a compost pile. Paper finished compost? quickly turn rancid. The solution in this has no structural strength when wet and Under typical Calgary conditions, with a case is to not compost these materials will reduce the overall percentage of air moderate amount of care and attention, or to remove them from the pile if voids in the composting mixture. Due it will take a growing season to produce already present. to its cellulose content, it also takes stable, humus like, and “finished” What can be done with the ammonia longer to break down than other organic compost. For people not overly diligent smell? materials. Glossy magazines should not with their pile, compost can take up to be composted because the clay coating two years to be produced. The may be too many greens (too much on the stock inhibits decomposition and nitrogen). Add more browns. How do I deal with sod? some of the printing inks used are toxic. Are pets, rodents or other animals Paper stock from newspapers (pulp) and Stack the sod upside down in a pile and attracted to a compost pile? magazines are best dealt with through cover with a tarp for several years. the recycling depots. Animals are typically attracted to a Can I compost in winter? compost pile for two reasons: food and Can I compost pet wastes? Bacterial activity slows down drastically warmth. Cats, dogs and rodents will Care must be taken when dealing with pet under typical Calgary winter conditions. not be attracted if meat, bones, fish wastes. Wastes from dogs, cats and other Some heat may be generated in a home and other food products eaten by these carnivores may contain human pathogens composting operation as quantities of animals are not placed in the compost that survive the home composting fresh household waste are added to the pile. Maintaining a very hot compost pile process. These materials should therefore pile. Any rise in pile temperature is very will also aid in keeping animals away. not be used in food gardens. short lived however, and conditions will In the winter, small rodents, such as A digester may be used to deal with soon revert to ambient. mice and voles, will be attracted by the pet waste though. This is a separate Materials may continue to be added to insulating qualities of the pile. Keeping container from the compost bin and the pile over the winter. As the pile is the pile moist (with a wrung out sponge) when used according to the directions, is in an essentially dormant state, there will deter small rodents from getting too very effective in dealing with pet waste. will be very little volume reduction comfortable. Turning the pile often will A hole is dug beneath the digester unit associated with the new materials. If the also help.

GREEN CALGARY COMPOSTING GUIDE | 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I prevent attracting flies and other insects? Flying insects are attracted to kitchen wastes with high sugar content such as fruit and vegetable peelings. These materials should be buried immediately and covered Further reading inside a compost pile. The maintenance of a hot compost pile will also destroy insects at the larval stage. Compost Clare Foster, Cassell How can I get rid of ants in the compost pile? Illustrated, Great Britain, 2002 Ants are attracted to compost piles that are too dry. Add water and some fresh Compost This Book! The Art Of cucumber peels. Composting For Your Yard, Your How can I get rid of pale green mold in the compost pile? Community, And The Planet The pile needs more oxygen. Turning it will help get rid of pale green mould. Tom Christopher and Marty Asher, Sierra Club. 1994 How can I control the temperature of my compost pile? Easy Compost: The Secret To If it is cold, the pile may be too small; make the piles bigger. It may need more Great Soil And Spectacular moisture; add water and cover the top. It may be poorly aerated; turn the pile. It may Plants lack greens; mix in greens. If the pile is too hot, reduce the pile size. Beth Hanson, Brooklyn Botanic Do I need to use a commercial compost starter or an accelerator? Garden Publications. 1997 No. Commercial compost starters or accelerators sold as such typically contain a Let it Rot! the gardener’s guide source of nitrogen or protein or dehydrated bacteria. No commercial nutrient activator to composting is required if care is taken to ensure that the composting mixture contains the proper Stu Campbell, Storey C:N ratio. If an additional nitrogen source is required, high nitrogen “green” materials Communications, Inc. 1990. such as grass clippings may be added or a natural activator such as bloodmeal Rodale Book of Composting or bonemeal sprinkled in. On a weight basis, the latter are more economical than Deborah L. Martin and Grace commercial nutrient starters. Gershuny, editors, St. Martin’s It is also unlikely that any commercial bacterial based activator is any better adapted Press, New York, NY, 1992 to decompose the waste materials than those already present. If required, garden The Real Dirt: the complete topsoil or finished compost may be added to the composting mixture to introduce guide to backyard, balcony and more of the composting microorganisms to the waste materials. apartment composting Mark Cullen and Lorraine Johnson, Penguin Books USA Inc., New York, NY, 1992 Organic Gardener’s Composting Steve Solomon. Available as a free download from the Soil and Health Library, at soilandhealth.org. The Intelligent Gardener: Growing nutrient-dense food Steve Solomon with Erica Reinheimer, New Society Publisher, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, 2013 Compost: The natural way to make food for your garden Ken Thompson, DK Publishing, New York, NY, 2007

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