Sep 8

Not too long ago, more and more people are becoming interested in placing a compost toilet in their home. Composting toilets have many environmental and also monetary rewards: they help preserve water, they get rid of the possibility sewage or groundwater pollution, they eliminate the expenses related to the maintenance of sewers and septic systems, and their end product is actually beneficial for environmental surroundings (compost) instead of polluting.

Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a composting toilet, you might be a little overwhelmed by the assortment and the different models currently available. There are virtually dozens of composting toilet manufacturers offering a number of different types and features on compost toilets to select from. However, there are two basic several types of compost toilets you have to choose between: self-contained or split (also known as “remote”).

Self-contained composting toilets are perfect for small homes and places. They are quite easy to set up and are often ready to go right from the box. You can find both electric and non-electric variations available. Electric versions will often have a fan that helps maintain the proper moisture density from the compost chamber. They also are usually cheaper versus the split composting toilet models.

Some of the cons of self-contained models are the few individuals they can sufficiently assist – many models cannot handle more than two people, plus some may only be ideal for one individual to use on a daily basis. They may also look a bit cumbersome, and many models are very tall and require a foot stool to use. Some customers find them more difficult to maintain too, since the smaller size demands more regular monitoring to ensure the compost remains in balance.

Split, or remote, compost toilets are the finest option should you be having multiple people making use of the toilet each day. Having a spit design, the composting chamber will be located in another area of the house (typically directly under the toilet in a basement area) and many models look very similar to a normal flush toilet.

Split compost toilets generally cost more than self-contained models and demand extra installation and plumbing charges. You also require sufficient space and a proper place to set up these units in your home. Nonetheless, whenever you factor in the savings you will have in water expenses and sewage or septic system maintenance charges, these units should be a great economical selection.

In total, by taking into careful consideration the amount of individuals who will be using the compost toilet and also the space available in your home, you will be able to find a composting toilet that works well for you and is the right choice for the environment as well.

Learn more about composting toilet systems. Stop by Bill Boor’s site where you can find out all about portable composting


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Aug 29

Making something useful from leaves that are gathered off your lawn is simple and doesn’t require much in the way of expenses or preparation. All that is needed is a compost bin and bags of urea. Both of these items are usually available at garden centers or in department stores that have gardening departments.

Once most of the leaves have fallen, rake them all up into a big pile. Next you’ll need to shred them; don’t use wet leaves for this process. This can be done with a lawnmower, wood chipper shredder or leaf shredder, but it’s harder to do if leaves are damp.

Next, layer the collected leaves carefully in the compost bin. Fill it to about 12 to 18 inches in depth, then add the urea or some grass clippings if you have any around. Top it all off with a small amount of water. Leaves should be damp, but not soaking wet.

Continue building up layers in the same manner, first the leaves, then the grass or urea, then some water. Once the bin is full, cover is securely, either with the supplied lid or a plastic tarp, so that rain and snow can’t get in, and neither can small animals.

Over the winter, you don’t need to do anything to your composting material. As the weather starts to warm up in the spring, it’s time to turn the mixture using a pitchfork. By doing so you will be exposing the buried materials to the air. Now cover it up once again.

By the time you are ready to begin planting in the spring, your mulch should be ready to use. If you prefer compost instead of mulch, just let it sit a little while longer. The only real difference between mulch and compost is the degree of decay of the organic materials. Compost is more like soil in texture, while mulch is still fairly solid in composition. The choice is up to you and the requirements of your garden or landscaping.

Mixing up some mulch or compost from your autumn leaves is actually a simple process, and can be a satisfying way to add some welcome nutrients to your garden.

In order to shred your leaves for mulch, why not run them through one of those wood chippers shredders that you can buy or rent. Not only will these machines break up the leaves, but you can throw in all those dead branches at the same time for some terrific mulch to keep your garden protected over the winter.

categories: mulch,compost,landscaping

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Aug 23

Building a compost is not very difficult. The main thing that you will need is patience. It does not happen over night but it is worth the wait.

There are tumblers the can be used to speed up the process. Even the best tumbler takes about three to four weeks.

Just pick out an unused part of the yard, maybe out of sight even. A compost pile does not produce any odor, if it is done right. It can be a bit unsightly though.

Once your spot is picked out then it’s time to start composting. Begin with a nice layer of sticks or some kind of course material. This will supply good aeration from the bottom of the pile.

The next layer start with green matter. There is really no good reason to start with green matter you can just as easily start with brown matter but you are going to alternate to produce layers.

Green matter items from your kitchen, fruit peels, vegetables, coffee grounds and there filters, nut shells. Just about any kitchen waste will qualify.

Brown matter are the items that will come from outside. sawdust, leaves, wood chips, paper items (simple black and white print only), and sticks laying around in the yard.

After these 2 layers add another aeration layer. Sticks, hay, straw or anything else course you can think of.

After the materials have been added put a little moisture on the pile. Not to much, think of a damp sponge.

You might add a handful of dirt every so often as dirt contains microbes that will help kick the compost process into gear.

Then after you build a compost pile you will just need to be patient. You will have rich compost to spread over your plants in no time.

When the items break down compost will be formed. But it does take a little while so you will need to be patient. Your garden will love compost fertilizer, it is well worth the wait. Click here for Free information on how to build a compost. Also published at Build A Compost – Discover How.

categories: build a compost,compost,building a compost,tumbler,pile,odor,composting,green,brown,material,sponge,microbes,hobbies,home improvement

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Aug 13

One of the true thrills of gardening is making your own compost pile. In addition to this you will need to handle plants, soil, rocks, fertilizer and soil conditioner. A pair of gloves will not only come in extra handy it will be a necessity.

Composting is the process where materials that are destined for the landfill are used to create nutritional products for the garden. Compost is a soil-like substance that will function as a soil conditioner, a mulch and fertilizer. It will feed your garden the microorganisms that most plants need to grow healthy.

It is usually best if the compost pile is located near your garden and at the same time has enough concealment to not affect the overall look of your garden. You want it to be close to the garden for convenience but you do not want visitors to see the compost pile. A corral or a fenced area would do fine.

After you set up your composting area you begin the compost pile by arranging a 3:1 ratio of brown and green materials. Green ingredients contain nitrogen the brown ingredients contain carbon. Together these components make up the foundation of a compost heap. The green organic items of gardening include grass clippings while the brown items are the dry leaves and other wood products.

If you are concerned about the bad smell that would come out of your compost pile, do not worry about it. If you have the right combination of green and brown material you do not have to be concerned about a bad smell. Compost will have an earthy smell and it will not smell like rot.

One way to insure that your compost pile has the right combination of green and brown material is to collect a nice gathering of material before you make your compost pile. When you are ready to make your pile start with a one part of green material and follow it up with three parts brown material. The next layer should be some very course material such as twigs or straw, aeration between the layers is very important. Think of a composting lasagna.

To get the process started quickly add some already composted material. This will help to start the process and introduce microbial activities in your compost pile.

Make sure that you add enough moisture to the pile. Dampness in the compost pile will help the breakdown of the organic materials . Think of a damp sponge.

If you care about the environment then you will be in favor of a compost heap. This method is all about giving back to the land what it has given you, and starting a compost heap is the best way to do that. This article, An Easy Way To Compost is released under a creative commons attribution licence.

categories: kitchen compost,compost,compost crock,envirocycle composter,compost tumblers,compost waste,compost maker,compost barrel,garden composting,how to make compost bin,what is compost,worm compost bin,make a compost bin,urban compost

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Aug 10

Gardening can be lots of fun and very rewarding. You get to plant little seeds in the ground, and if you’re lucky, watch them grow into big plants with lots of flowers, fruits, or vegetables. Your green thumb can help your plants to grow and that is a nice reward. But along with your planting comes a need to prune, thin out, and cull as well as get rid of the spent plants.

Should waste be put in garbage to be hauled to the landfill. The diseased plants and the weeds should, but everything else can go in your very own compost pile. Composting is an excellent way to take care of your garden pruning, tree trimmings, grass clippings, and even kitchen scraps.

There are two very good reasons why you should be composting your scrapscomposting your scraps .

It keeps the yard and kitchen waste out of the landfills where it has a hard time breaking down with all the plastic and other non-compostable stuff around it.

Composted scraps decompose and turn into a gardener’s secret weapon for next year’s crop… “black gold”. This nutrient-rich compost is just what your tired topsoil needs and is the perfect way to keep the cycle of life going.

To begin composting, you will need a bin or two, rather than open piles. Bins encourage the piles to heat up quicker and longer, which helps the waste to decompose faster. Plus, closed bins discourage little critters from coming along and feasting on all the goodies that make up your compost.

You can find a compost bin at your local garden store or online, and while they tend to be on the expensive side, they may make you some good compost faster. You can also make your own compost bins with instructions you can fine online or using your own imagination. You can even drill some holes in a plastic garbage can for aeration and use that. When the pile needs turning, fasten the lid down with a bungee cord, lay it on it’s side and roll it around some.

Once you have your compost bin, you need to create a pile of brown, green, and soil with manure. Brown is Dead leaves, prunings, spent plants, smallish twigs. Green is Veggie scraps, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, used tea bags from the kitchen.

Bones and other meat leftovers do not belong in your compost pile because they attract wildlife.

If your compost pile gives off an odor, then you need to adjust the amounts of what you have in it. The rule of thumb is to add equal amounts of the brown, green, and dirt. When you throw something on the pile, like peelings from your potatoes and carrots, plus the broccoli your son refused to eat, then add some dirt and brown leaves as well.

It might take some time for your compost to break down, so you might want to have 2 bins going. One will be the bin that is older and is busy turning into compost, the other is a bin for the newer stuff.

Once composting your scraps is ready, you will know it. It will be a dark color, smell good, and appear to be the prettiest looking top soil you have ever seen. Go ahead and spread it around your plants and garden and watch it grow. Compost is a natural fertilizer that your plants will love. Also published at Composting Your Scraps Can Help The Planet.

categories: composting,planet,gardening,plant,flowers,green thumb,weeds,compost,compost pile,composted,compost bin,manure,hobbies,home and familygardening

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Aug 6

So, you want to be green but you are stuck in the city. You want to grow your own organic vegetables, but the space is limited. You want to compost and mulch, but you are concerned about the odor. There are solutions to these issues, and one is using an urban compost tumbler.

Composting is a great way to create very rich loamy material that is ideal for growing fresh foods. It is made by throwing all of your wet garbage, including food waste and coffee grounds, into a pile and letting it all decompose, along with some dry material like leaves and yard waste. It takes nothing more than time and some heat.

The compost itself provides the heat, while time needs no help whatsoever. The problem with this, however, is having enough space to put a pit in. There is also the issue of the bad odor that can be generated, especially during the summer months. But a tumbler can solve most of those problems.

A tumbler is a stand alone unit, and can be small enough to fit into a corner of a rooftop or patio unobtrusively. It is a barrel supported on poles and sits up off the ground. It has holes for good aeration, and a handle used to turn the barrel. This combination of elements makes things compost quicker, and with less odor, than if it were on the ground

And compost really is like an amazing wonder food for plants and gardens. This is way to use what nature gives us in abundance, in a person powered way. It is definitely a green solution to fertilizing problems, and no chemicals or fuels are used at all. You just toss in your garbage, turn the thing once a week or so, and let nature take care of the rest.

You should be able to get an urban compost tumbler at any good yard and garden department in a chain store, specialty shops, and of course online.

You can learn the process by starting with small batches, and see how the system works for your particular situation. Because if you are serious about organic gardening, you need to be serious about composting.

So in order to help reduce the strain on the planet and the environment start a composting plan. Click here for Free information on an urban compost tumbler. Also published at The Many Benefits Of An Urban Compost Tumbler.

categories: urban compost tumbler,compost tumbler,tumbler,compost,gardening,family,environment,home improvement,hobbies,home and family gardening,home and family home improvement,home and family hobbies,home and family landscaping,home accessories

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Aug 2

Plastic is a non organic substance which adds nothing to the soil. Plastics cause a lot of trouble if you try to grow crops were they have been buried. In fact some believe that plastics can interfere with plant growth. I have seen where plastic has actually killed the soil by cutting off the air exchange of the soil. One thing is for sure the organic gardener can do extremely nicely without plastic. When you think about it what could be more unnatural than plastic material mulch? Plastic keeps the soil untouched by sunshine, air, dew, or rainfall. Plastic does nothing to enrich the soil. With an organic mulch it breaks down into compost, humus and minerals. It also lets the air rainfall, dew and sunshine seep through it to the soil beneath.

Of course you will have more work with an organic mulch. It will have to be replaced at least once a year as it breaks down and nourishes the soil. Plastic will set on the soil for years and do nothing for the soil. It will most most likely damage it nearly beyond repair. Hay, straw and leaves make good organic mulches, old newspapers, brown grocery bags and waste paper make an great underlayment for organic mulch. They provide a barrier to prevent light from reaching weed seeds and stimulating germination. When you work the soil you bring weed seeds to the surface where the the light will stimulate them to germination. A layer of paper with a thick organic mulch on top will stop this from happening and greatly loose time spent pulling weeds. Thus freeing you for the much more pleasurable aspects of gardening. Organic mulch can be laid in thick layers to mulch almost anything. From a box hedge, expensive evergreen border, a perennial bed, or a row of rhododendrons. These are all garden spots that respond well to a paper mulch. If you use a permanent mulch on your vegetable garden, you will be pleasantly surprised at the absence of weeds. The paper can be covered with something attractive and organic. Such as hay, straw, compost, wooden chips, sawdust or anything else organic. You must cover the paper with something or the wind will scatter them all over the neighborhood.

The plastic material industry has been with us for about 35 years now. During that time they have made it the good objective of their research to develop more and more indestructible material and much more uses of this material. They’re good success, causes an ever growing burden on the sanitation department. This causes extra burden on the tax payers. You can garden just as well or better without plastic. Even if that were not true. Organic gardeners that are really worried with environmental contaminants must make up their minds to avoid using as much plastic material as possible. It is one of the fastest-growing pollutants of all. A biodegradable plastic material has required the industry to spend a sizable portion of its income on serious research and development. The biodegradable plastics are heavily expensive for anyone to use.

The reports regarding plastic have been extremely disturbing, for one thing plastic is practically indestructible, unless you burn it. Which causes air pollution. It cannot be composted or digested. It is non degradable and incapable of being assimilated into the organic cycle. Our societies obsession with plastic has caused a blight on our land that time will not erase. We need to increase our efforts to improve plastic or decrease the use of it. How much nicer a reflection on our society it would be, if an archaeologist ten thousand years from now would insert a shovel into fresh rich soil, breathe fresh air, drink pure water. Then name our present society for those characteristics, instead of the litter of plastic material that is quick over burdening us.

Thanks for reading and I hope you had learned something from this article.

You can learn much more regarding this subject by visiting my sites below. Just click the links and you will be redirected to my site.

See you there!

The author has written more about plastic organizer bins and plastic organizer on his site, check them out: http://www.plasticorganizer.net/ and plastic organizer bins.


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Aug 1

Having a compost pile in your backyard is good for you but it is also good for the environment. It is not troublesome or time consuming if done right. There is also a misconception that compost is smelly and messy , but if the pile is put together correctly this is not the case.

There are those that would buy their fertilizer and soil amendments from their local garden store. I believe it is best to stay as natural as possible, stay away from chemical fertilizers. Really there is no hassle in making a compost in your backyard from items that were destined for the trash can.

When you begin a kitchen composter program the materials that you will need and the items that you will use do not have a cost. The cost of chemical fertilizers and other items from the local gardening store are constantly on the rise. With a little bit of time and the right ingredients you can produce the best fertilizer known to man in the convenience of your own backyard.

Compost will provide more of the nutrients and minerals that your plants need. The effects of natural compost will last longer than chemical fertilizers.

Compost is also better for the soil structure. It will make the soil more resistant to erosion, improve its retention of water and in many cases it will prevent the soil from becoming compact. This factor can be important to large gardens as it will cut down on tilling time and reduce fuel that is used to operate machines.

The right composting technique can kill weeds, pests and other disease causing organisms. High temperature composting is the technique that I am referring to. This technique usually involves some type of an enclosed structure, it will possibly spin to allow a small amount of aeration into the compost.

There are studies that show that using compost can suppress the growth of diseases in crops. Crops grown over compost rich soils are resistant to pest or insect attacks. There are also observations that crops grown in a field with compost fertilizer can be a lot stored longer.

Compost has an added benefit for the environmentalist as well. Using compost along with the soil can build soil carbon which can eventually reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It will take a lot of compost to have a positive effect on the greenhouse gases.

Starting a kitchen composter program is good for your wallet but It is good for the environment. It is recognized that compost works well as a antidote for soils that have a high toxic level from chemical fertilizers. There are some good reasons to motivate the start of a kitchen composter program.

categories: kitchen compost,compost,gardening,garden,family,hobbies,outdoors,home and family,home and familygardening,home and familyhobbies,compost crock,envirocycle composter,compost tumblers,compost waste

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Jul 30

There is a lot of technical jargon floating around concerning a compost pile. The idea behind this article is to put in layman’s terms. Although the technical explanation can come in handy at the right time, the main concept of this article is to put it in terms that anyone can understand.

A compost pile is really just an attempt to give back to mother nature. compost is more that just a fertilizer. It is a mulch, a soil conditioner and it will provide the minerals and nutrients your plants need to grow. Compost rich soil retains water much better, this will be very beneficial for your plants.

There are many different composting programs, the simplest is the no turn method. As the title indicates you simply do not turn the pile. This method does take a bit longer but it is by far the easiest. get the ready compost from the bottom and add new compost material to the top.

Adding hay or some other course material to the compost pile creates air pockets and allows the pile to be aerated. When air is allowed in the compost pile you can expect your compost to be developed at the same rate as when the turn over method is used.

A compost pile will need materials that are rich in carbon and nitrogen such as fruits and vegetables and other tables scraps. Some of the other useful items are eggshells, coffee grounds, wood ash, tea leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, cardboard and shredded paper.

Stay away from bones as they attract a number of rodents and other pests. Oily substances do not break down well so they should be avoided also.

Discourage fruit flies from grouping together on your pile. Do this by covering the pile or add lime to the top as you add new materials to your compost pile. The lime also helps to neutralize odors although if your pile is properly built the odors should not be a problem.

This article simplifies a compost program. It is not a very complicated process, the biggest element is just time.

http://www.kitchencomposterblog.com/ This article is for people who are starting a compost pile. It is intended to give you the knowledge you require to start composting. Want to know more about having a great compost pile. Visit the Kitchen Composter. Check here for free reprint licence: Eliminate Kitchen Scraps With A Composter Program.

categories: compost

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Jul 26

Composting is really just a way of giving back to the earth or mother nature as it were what it has given you. There is a cycle that things go through in order to grow. Making sure that the soil is healthy is the beginning of a good garden.

A compost program is good for the planet because it cuts down on the amount of waste that is sent off to the landfill. It is amazing to watch things that were once considered refuse to be recycled and put to good use.

Compost has many other functions besides just being good fertilizer for the earth. It also acts as a soil conditioner, a mulching agent Soil that has the proper amount of compost retains moisture better and that is beneficial for the plants.

Composting is a very old strategy and is practiced all over the globe. It is used on a large scale for farms but backyard gardeners can benefit from the effects also.

Every day materials that you gather together from your home and parts of your yard will be converted into a black substance, somewhat fragrant, and crumbly. This will become the compost material.

Arrange the materials so that the soil bacteria and fungi can survive and multiply as they break down. The bacteria is the key to a successful compost. The bacteria will act as a converter for all the other materials so they need to be in a proper environment.

To begin a compost program gather as much of the green and dry elements as you can from around your garden. Collect grass clippings and green weeds, they are high in sugar elements and protein and will decompose very fast.

Leaves should be added to the greens when they are decomposing. This type of material takes a long time to break down as they contain very little nitrogen.

You do not need to be a expert to start a compost program. All you really need is a love of nature and a desire to learn.

http://www.kitchencomposterblog.com/ This guide is to help start a compost pile for beginners and hopefully it will give you the facts you require to start composting. For more information about how to have a successful compost pile go to Kitchen Composter Blog and learn about starting a compost pile.

categories: compost,garden,outdoors,family,recreation

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