Composting and Vermicomposting – Building Healthy Soil! The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes CBG Sustainability Symposium 2008 Lara Roketenetz and Denise Natoli Brooks

Introduction Why compost? Why compost? Contributes to sustainable lifestyle along with recycling Contributes to sustainable lifestyle along with recycling Reduces landfill waste by weight Reduces landfill waste by weight Yard waste (9%) Yard waste (9%) Food waste (15%) Food waste (15%) Reduces landfill waste by volume Reduces landfill waste by volume Yard waste (8%) Yard waste (8%) Food waste (6%) Food waste (6%)

Why Compost?

Adds nutrients to soil – feed the soil, not the plant! Adds nutrients to soil – feed the soil, not the plant! Compost is a natural fertilizer Compost is a natural fertilizer Compost is primarily humus – organic soil matter which allows for easy flow of water and air to growing plants Compost is primarily humus – organic soil matter which allows for easy flow of water and air to growing plants

Yard Waste Composting Left to decompose naturally, leaves can take up to 2 years to break down into humus Left to decompose naturally, leaves can take up to 2 years to break down into humus Outdoor composting accelerates this process Outdoor composting accelerates this process (4 to 18 months) (4 to 18 months)

Yard Waste Composting Many different types available – from simple mounds to 3 stage bins and everything in between! Many different types available – from simple mounds to 3 stage bins and everything in between!

Yard Waste Composting Recipe Recipe Layer equal parts of green and brown waste Layer equal parts of green and brown waste Pile should be kept as moist as a wrung-out sponge Pile should be kept as moist as a wrung-out sponge Allow the pile to “bake” at 90 to 140 degrees Allow the pile to “bake” at 90 to 140 degrees Turn the pile to let in air – the more you turn, the faster it decomposes Turn the pile to let in air – the more you turn, the faster it decomposes Brown Waste Twigs Dry leaves Straw Sawdust Shredded newspaper Green Waste Grass clippings Green leaves Vegetable garden scraps Floral clippings

Vermiculture The use of specially bred earthworms, esp. to aerate soil and convert organic matter into compost; also called vermicomposting The use of specially bred earthworms, esp. to aerate soil and convert organic matter into compost; also called vermicompostingvermicomposting Easy winter composting Easy winter composting Great teaching tool for kids Great teaching tool for kids Manageable size Manageable size Great for folks with no/small yard Great for folks with no/small yard Worms as pets! Worms as pets! Very fine compost- no screening needed Very fine compost- no screening needed

Compost Worms

How do worms produce compost? Worms eat organic matter and pass it through their digestive systems, producing castings, or “worm poop” Worms eat organic matter and pass it through their digestive systems, producing castings, or “worm poop”

Materials for Vermicompost Bin Bin not necessary to buy not necessary to buy Kitchen scraps Kitchen scraps Bedding Bedding shredded, non-glossy newspaper shredded, non-glossy newspaper Coir (coconut bark) Coir (coconut bark) leaves, grass clippings leaves, grass clippings handful of soil handful of soil moisture of wrung-out sponge moisture of wrung-out sponge Worms Worms Lid with fabric or air holes Lid with fabric or air holes

Vermicomposting Notes Read before you start Location Fruit fly prevention Separation method Passive Active

What else lives in my bin? mite centipede millipede fruit fly isopod (sowbug) springtail mold sporeswhite or pot worms

Responsible Composting Do not compost invasive weed species Do not compost invasive weed species Seeds of certain plants such as garlic mustard and honeysuckle can live in the seed bank for decades Seeds of certain plants such as garlic mustard and honeysuckle can live in the seed bank for decades

Responsible Composting Freeze vermicompost before using it in your yard, especially if your gardens are close to woodland areas Freeze vermicompost before using it in your yard, especially if your gardens are close to woodland areas Worm egg casings or cocoons can hatch and spread to new areas Worm egg casings or cocoons can hatch and spread to new areas

Worm ecology None of the earthworms in our area are native! None of the earthworms in our area are native! Native earthworms in the Great Lakes area were extirpated with the last ice age 11,000 to 14,000 years ago Native earthworms in the Great Lakes area were extirpated with the last ice age 11,000 to 14,000 years ago

We’ve been invaded! Earthworm invasion began with European settlement Earthworm invasion began with European settlement Invasions continue through improper dumping of fish bait, mulch/compost, tire treads, road building, landscaping, any activity that moves soil Invasions continue through improper dumping of fish bait, mulch/compost, tire treads, road building, landscaping, any activity that moves soil

Worms effects on the environment Soil in uninvaded forests has a rich humus layer called “duff” and is covered with a layer of leaf litter Soil in uninvaded forests has a rich humus layer called “duff” and is covered with a layer of leaf litter

Soil Effects Soil in uninvaded forestSoil in invaded forest

Vegetation Effects Vegetation in invaded forestVegetation in uninvaded forest

Compost Workshops Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Nature Center at Shaker Lakes 2600 South Park Blvd South Park Blvd. Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights, Ohio Lara x 240, Lara x 240, Denise x 226, Denise x 226, July 8 th 6-8pm July 8 th 6-8pm September 27 th 12-2pm or 3-5pm September 27 th 12-2pm or 3-5pm Sign up on sheet! Sign up on sheet!