’ ’ ’ ’ 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 Cass County Soil Conservation District Basic Information you aerate by turning or mixing the heap about [email protected] once a week. 701.282.2157 Ext. 3 cassscd.org and Make Your Finished compost is usually less than half the volume of the materials you started with, but it’s Clay Soil & Water Conservation District much denser. When finished, it should look, feel Own Workshop • • [email protected] • and smell like rich, dark soil. You should not be 218.287.2255 able to recognize any of the items you originally claycountymn.gov/272/Soil-Water- • placed• in the pile.’ ’ Conservation-District • • ’ Common Problems • SUPPORTERS • - If’ the compost is too wet, turn it more • • •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 n 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 [email protected] • gardening. • • - Mix compost into pots for potted plants. [email protected] 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 your 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: 2019 Workshops Dead• plants Sawdust from untreated lumber April 29, 2019 is oftenMay 14, used 2019 • 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 • and help• decompose material. The compost Fee: $59 (includes supplies) should• be moist. Air adds in decomposition and controls odors. Cass and Clay County residents may be eligible • • for partial reimbursement of fee; informationl will A RECIPE IS 1 PART GREEN TO 4 PARTS BROWN. be available upon completion of the workshop. • What •not to compost: • Meat, fish, and animal fats • Come prepared to carry home an empty • 55-gallon barrel. These• materials may attract unwanted Benefits visitors to your compost pile. • • • • To register: Contact Moorhead Community Shredded newspapers or office paper • •- Reduction in garbage volume • Education at https://www.moorheadschools. - A rich natural fertilizer, cuts back on use of The• paper may contain chemicals that are not org/schools/alternative-schools/community- • chemical fertilizers good for your compost. Recycle them education/ or call 218.284.3400. • •- ….. Improves soil aeration and drainage instead. • •- 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 • ….. compost pile. • • 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.” • • • • • • ….. • • • • .