1. Green Drinks ~ June 2012
Presented by: Lacy Kuller

2.  Composting is the transformation of organic material
(plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like
material called compost.
 Who helps facilitate? Invertebrates (insects and
earthworms) and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)
 Why Compost?
 Yard and food waste make up approximately 30% of the
waste stream in the United States…
 Turn kitchen and yard waste into ‘black gold’
and keep it out of the landfill and your
garbage disposal!

3.  It’s all about the Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) ratios
 Compost = Air + Water + 2 Parts Browns + 1 Part Greens
 ‘Browns’ (high in carbon) = ash, wood, cardboard,
leaves, newspaper, peanut shells, pine needles, sawdust,
straw and wood chips
 ‘Greens’ (high in nitrogen) = grass clippings, food waste,
garden waste, coffee grounds, manure*, seaweed,
vegetable scraps, weeds
 RULE OF THUMB: If the compost pile needs moisture,
add ‘greens’; if it has an odor to it, add ‘browns’

4.  Passive Composting (Anaerobic)
 Slow to decompose, but still nature
takes its course
 Requires little maintenance
 Good for leaf molds
 Active Composting (Aerobic)
 Can create rich soil in as little as two to six weeks
 Requires aeration, moisture and proper carbon to nitrogen
ration (C:N)
 Vermicomposting
 Breakdown of organic waste using earthworms
 Worm castings

5.  Counter-top canisters
 Corner of back yard
 Attractive/enclosed bins
 Vermicomposting can be done indoors
or on a patio / porch
 Community Gardens

7.  Fruit and vegetable waste (cut to small pieces)
 Coffee grounds
 Tea bags
 Egg shells
 Nut shells
 Flowers / garden waste
 Potting soil
 Paper towels / cardboard
 AVOID: meat, dairy, cooked foods, diseased plants, yard
waste with chemicals, weeds gone to seed, pet waste

8.  http://earth911.com/news/2010/08/30/composting-in-the-city/
 http://www.gardenguides.com/70276-types-composting-
methods.html
 http://www.howtocompost.org/info/info_composting.asp
 http://www.organicgardening.com