Lizzy welcomes you to the garden

Lizzy welcomes you to the garden
The blog for the UCSB Garden

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Everything About Composting!

Why Compost?

  • Reduces waste output to landfills
  • Reduces methane emissions

  • Allows nutrients to be recycled back into soil

  • Improves soil composition


Aerobic (Hot) Composting

    This type of composting is done outside. It needs to be turned 3 times a week to oxygenate the waste. It is done in a pile at least  3’x3’x3’ to make sure the middle of the pile get hot enough. It can get up to 120-170ºF depending on the size of the pile. Approximently 50% of the pile should be carbon sources such as dried leaves, grass, etc.

What to add:

  • Fruit and vegetables, avoid melon rinds or cut small

  • Coffee grounds

  • Grains and beans can ferment and mold they should make up less than 15% of the pile

  • No meat, diary, oil, potting soil or animal waste (egg shells okay)

  • Limit green (whole plant) waste 


Vermicompost 

    The two major differences between aerobic hot composting and vermicompost is the presence of soil and worms in vermicompost. To start this compost pile you need a soil bedding which acts as a carbon source and allows for more air flow, it will also absorb extra moisture. Make sure your compost pile has moderate temperature control between 40ºF and 90ºF and has lot of sunlight which will encourage the worms to get moving. 

What to add:

  • Fruit and vegetables, avoid melon rinds or cut small

  • Coffee grounds

  • Grains and beans can ferment and mold they should make up less than 15% of the pile

  • No meat, diary, oil or animal waste (egg shells okay)


Local Composting Initiatives 

  • Methodist Garden - Currently NOT accepting compost

    • Will be open to everyone to drop off at a later date

    • Hot Compost rules (No meat, diary, oil, potting soil or animal waste)

    • Sometimes you are able to take compost soil

    • Contact Kai Deguzman, Intern. Email: johnathandeguzman@ucsb.edu

  • St. Mikes Community Garden- Currently NOT accepting compost

    • Will be open to everyone to drop off at a later date

    • Hot compost rules (No meat, diary, oil, potting soil or animal waste)

    • Contact Luis Mairena, Intern. Email: lmairena@ucsb.edu

  • IV Co-op 

    • Yellow bins next to dumpsters in front parking 

    • Does not stay in community-serviced by Marborg 

    • Hot compost rules!

  • Family Student Housing 

    • Run by DTW 

    • Only open to Family Student Housing residents 

    • Drop off at Storke and West Campus 

    • Add to big black circular bins NOT stalls 

    • No meat, dairy, seafood, grains, oils, potted soil 

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