Backyard Composting
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Composting
your kitchen scraps and yard waste at home can help divert material from
your local landfill, and provide a good quality product for use in your
yard and garden. Home composting is both fun and easy to do and does not
require large investments of time, money and effort to be successful.
The easiest approach to composting is to simply maintain a pile in an out-of-the-way part of your yard. However, many people prefer to enclose the material in a purchased or constructed container. Commercial composting bins are generally available at local nurseries, feed stores, garden and home improvement supply stores. Cost varies from $25.00 up to $300.00 or more, depending upon the model, although most sell in the $50.00 - $125.00 range. It is also possible to construct a compost enclosure from a variety of materials. If you live in an apartment or condominium and would like to compost your kitchen scraps, you might consider vermicomposting. Vermicomposting involves using red worms in a small container to convert your fruit and vegetable peelings into a nitrogen rich compost product that is perfect for house plants and planter-boxes. The County of Santa Barbara offers residents written information on how to compost at home, such as the booklet entitled, The Answer Is Backyard Composting and Yard Waste Reduction. This booklet outlines three different methods of composting and includes sections on troubleshooting and plans for constructing your own bin. The County also periodically conducts workshops on home composting and sponsors parking lot sales of composting bins that are sold to residents at a reduced rate. For more information, please call the County composting specialist at (805) 882-3618. Composting
workshops are offered throughout the year. |
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