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COMPOSTING TIPS CONTACT US As soon as decomposition’ begins, the volume of River Keepers the pile will decrease. Don’t be tempted to add [email protected] more materials at this point, as this resets the 701.356.8915 COMPOSTING: clock on that batch. riverkeepers.org You will maximize your composting efforts if Clay Soil & Water Conservation District Basic Information you aerate by turning or mixing the heap about [email protected] once a week. 218.287.2255 claycountymn.gov/272/Soil-Water- and Make Your Finished compost is usually less than half the Conservation-District volume of the materials you started with, but it’s much denser. When finished, it should look, feel Own Workshop • • Cass County Soil Conservation District and smell like rich, dark soil. You should not be [email protected] able to recognize any of the items you originally 701.282.2157 Ext. 3 • placed• in the pile.’ ’ cassscd.org Common Problems - If the compost is too wet, turn it more SUPPORTERS • • •frequently or add dry brown material. - If the pile doesn’t heat up, add more green • material to the compost, or you may need to aerate or add water. • • ’ -• If there is an ammonia or rotten egg smell, turn • the ’compost or add brown material to dry it out. - If large amounts of dropped apples or kitchen • scraps attract wasps or other unwelcome • pests, turn more frequently. • • Using Finished Compost • • • • - Mix compost into the soil to improve it. • -• Spread compost on lawn to fill in low spots. • -• Use as much mulch for landscaping and gardening. - Mix compost into pots for potted plants. Learn Sustain Enjoy
• • • • • • • • ‘ ’ ‘ ’, MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST WHAT IS COMPOST? WHAT CAN BE COMPOSTED? Compost is decomposed organic material, such Key materials are nitrogen-rich‘ ‘greens’ ’ and TUMBLER WORKSHOP as leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste. carbon-rich‘ ‘browns,’’, water, and air. ‘ ’ Save water, money, time and maintenance costs ‘ ’, It provides many essential nutrients for plant Examples• of greens are: by using yard waste to benefit you and your growth and therefore is often used as fertilizer. • Green leaves soil. This workshop will cover the basics of Compost also improves soil structure so that composting and provide instruction to construct • Coffee•• grounds/filters soil can easily hold the correct amount of Tea bags various compositing systems. By tumbling this • moisture and air. Compost improves the texture Plant• trimming composter around the yard once or twice a • • of both clay soils and sandy soils, making either Fruit •(including dropped apples) and vegetable week, you could have a barrel full of compost by • type rich, moisture-retentive, and loamy. scraps,• egg shells and fresh grass clippings the end of the season. • ssential nutrients for • Examples of browns are: 2020 Workshops Dead• plants Sawdust from untreated lumber April 27, 2020 is oftenMay 20, used 2020 • Twigs 6:00-8:00 p.m. 6:00-8:00 p.m. • Dried grasses, weeds, straw and leaves At a Moorhead Park At a Fargo Park • r. Compost Water •allows microbes in your compost to grow • Fee: $59 (includes supplies) and help• decompose material. The compost should• be moist. Air adds in decomposition and Cass and Clay County residents may be eligible controls• odors. for partial reimbursement of fee; informationl will • be available upon completion of the workshop. A RECIPE• IS 1 PART GREEN TO 4 PARTS BROWN. • What not to compost: • Come prepared to carry home an empty Meat, fish, and animal fats • 55-gallon compost bin. • • Benefits These materials may attract unwanted visitors to your compost pile. To register: Contact Moorhead Community • • • • Education at https://www.moorheadschools. - Reduction in garbage volume •- A rich natural fertilizer, cuts back on use of • Shredded newspapers or office paper org/schools/alternative-schools/community- • The• paper may contain chemicals that are not education/ or call 218.284.3400. • chemical fertilizers - Improves soil aeration good for your compost. Recycle them • •….. instead. - Enhances water retention in soils • •- Helps control weeds Ashes• from your grill •- Decreases the need for costly water Wood ashes can be useful in small quantities, - And many more! but BBQ grill ashes never go into your •- Reduces….. use of a garbage disposal which can compost pile. lower phosphorus in wastewater • • • Dog and cat feces These materials can add diseases to your • compost and they have an unpleasant odor. • Sawdust• from treated lumber • Sometimes lumber is treated with harmful • • chemicals. RiverKeepersFM riverkeepers.org • OUR MISSION: fmriverkeepers [email protected] “Advocating for safe and sustainable use of the RiverKeepersofFM 701.235.2895 Red River of the North.” • • • • • • ….. •
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