Types of Composting

 

 Open-air composting

Use holding bins or an uncontained pile to compost yard debris. Bins can be made of wire mesh, old fencing, wooden pallets, or wood and wire. Many types of manufactured holding bins are available for purchase.

• Place the bin in a convenient location. A shady area is preferable to a location in direct sun.
• Drop yard debris into the bin and water as necessary to maintain proper moisture. Turn the pile frequently to aerate and help speed the composting process.
• Once or twice a year, harvest the finished compost from the bottom or inside of the pile.

Compost tumblers

Barrel composters, or tumblers, provide a convenient means to turn compost for rapid, pest-free decomposition. If you plan to compost a lot of fruit and vegetable scraps without a worm bin, this is a good option.

• Add damp chopped or shredded materials until the barrel is 3/4 full.
• Rotate barrel vigorously every two or three days.
• Finished compost will be ready in a matter of weeks.

Hot composting

Hot composting with multiple bins is best for gardeners who have large volumes of yard debris and the desire and time to make high-quality compost quickly. A series of two or three bins can be made of wood, wire or masonry blocks. Hot piles require some effort, but the compost is typically of a higher quality, because the high temperatures kill weed seeds and many plant diseases. It can also be quicker than open-air composting.

• Alternate layers of brown (high-carbon) and green (high-nitrogen) materials.
• Dampen materials until they feel like a wrung-out sponge.
• Turn and mix the materials into the next bin just after the pile temperature peaks then drops in about four to seven days.
• If the compost feels dry, add more water. If compost didn’t heat up initially, add more high-nitrogen material (or nitrogen fertilizer).
• Turn again after the temperature peaks.
• Allow the compost to cool for a few weeks, then it should be ready to use.

Worm composting

Worm bins are designed for composting food wastes using red worms (Eisenia Foetida). Vegetable and fruit scraps from the kitchen are added on a regular basis; the worms eat the food waste and turn it into compost.
To set up a worm bin, you'll need:

• a container that is wide and shallow
• red worms
• bedding
• fruit and vegetable scraps from your kitchen

Fill the container three-quarters full with moistened bedding. Add the worms. Pull aside some of the bedding, bury the food waste and cover it up.

Permaculture Revolution mashed into Beverly Sustaina-hill-bilities

(In the style of “Revolution” by The Beatles)

1st Verse

Permaculture revolution

Well, you know,

This is going to change the world.

A pathway to our evolution,

Well, you know.

We all want a better world.

   But when you have over consumption

   Don’t you know that you should just opt out

Chorus

   So you know it’s going to be alright,

   Alright,     alright.

2^nd Verse

Permaculture solutions,

Well, you know,

We all gotta make a plan, 

Like surplus redistribution

Well, you know,

We’ll all care for the land.

    So if you want systems that ger-mi-nate

    All I can tell you is brother, you’ll have to prop-a-gate!

(In the style of Beverly Hillbillies)

Seeds, that is

Mother nature’s gift…

Well…

Here’s a little story ‘bout Sustainability,

Permaculture Principles

And design theory,

Observe and interact

Catch and store energy

Then you obtain

A yield to maintain.

A feedbook loop

Its so you use and value your resources.

Well…

The next thing you know,

The earth’s a millionaire

Remember not to waste!

Hey! Design a pattern there!

Maximize your edges

Plant yourself a row of fedges!

And remember ta integrate,

instead of segregate!

Use small slow solutions! 

Use and value diversity!

This song has been brought to you by the Association of Creative Uses and Responses to Change performed by Jon Brown’s PSU Permaculture Guild of Portland, Oregon. 

Reading Response 4-Biomimicry for social change

After Jesse brought up this idea of mimicking nature for social change it has stuck with me. Reading Biomimcry I am frustrated at times, inspired by the creative innovation it describes, but worried about the intentions of such innovation. Are these innovations necessary technology? Often they are not. How long will we have the materials to create such technologies? (What is the fate of the science lab?) I find myself scowling quite often, intrigued by the ideas, but unsure about my ethical response to them. Despite all of these frustrations, I am seeking inspiration, a model from nature for the process of social change. For these ‘sustainable’ technologies are not necessitating change, but rather allowing stagnation.

Here’s my idea: Us permaculturalists (and other ecosystem-lovers), sometimes considered ‘hippies,’ are weeds. To many we look like weeds, we obstruct like weeds, we break through concrete like weeds. By weeds I of course mean that we are the pioneers, but I think we must await our history book moment before gaining that title. Finding this land (and society) in disarray, disturbed, unhealthy, out of balance, we are attempting to prepare it for future generations; to rehabilitate it. Like dandelions, we’re reaching deeply into the earth, far out into the community, to bring up helpful nutrients and minerals, to educate and inspire. Just as we reach out to our gardens and pull from them our own nutrition. As we prepare the grounds for social change, we are creating a healthy layer of humus, slowly, but surely, life is accumulating here. Like a network of mycelia we must be concerned with staying connected in a number of ways. Eventually we will have worked the earth enough that it will begin to flourish with life, slowly accumulating diversity, sustenance, and balanced peace.

On this scarred piece of ground that we’re fiercely popping our heads out of and spreading root systems in, is a system that is not working. Our capitalist, consuming society must be ended, it is that simple, that is why we’re here, to shade out that perfectly trimmed sod, which rips nutrients from the ground, consumes and consumes. Perhaps once we’re mowed down we resemble ‘sustainability.’ This plan to sustain the way things are as of now isn’t admitting to the fact that our economic system does not benefit humans and surely not the earth, hence my frustrations with biomimics. To mimic nature, let’s look to the process of healing disturbed land and apply it to healing our species. At some point the ground will be healthy enough to sustain life, our duty will be filled, and we will be shaded out by the overarching belief that nature is a wise system and that we must fulfill our position in this system, not take advantage of it. So as we make room for the seeds dropped by birds and brought in from wildlife, we must strengthen our network, balance the system, and seek new forms of information and companions. Most importantly we must find patience, for all is an ongoing process of change; like nature we must remain resilient, and be prepared to firmly root ourselves lest we be pulled up.

Permaculture Lens

Once we have the permaculture lens we start to see the world in a different light.  Manicured lawns reveal an exercise in futility and a major waste of resources such as water, gas, oil, human attention and their energy.  These patches of time wasters only represent a self indulgent pride filled endeavor with little green strands of grass to show for it all.  "Food Not Lawns" is the battle cry and we now find ourselves in the midst of a seed revolution!  Before starting this journey on the permaculture train I did not know about Mansanto and their monopolization of the world's seed supply.  They make genetically modified seeds that they promote as having better yields, reportedly will solve the world's famine problems, and even be a positive growth models for small farmers.  However Independent studies already show crop failures. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/IBTCF.php 

We need a seed revolution!  

They are attempting to monopolized the world's seed supply but the bees who pollinate the plants don't know the difference so when small farmers end up with their strand, agents come with guns a blazin' and destroy the small farms or they extort and intimidate the farmers into submission.  That's not much of a positive growth model for small farmers!  

Now Monsanto is even having laws enacted to prosecute those who save their own seeds, working with the FDA to make seeds a health hazard!

http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/news/10040.htm

http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/asta0629.html

Farmers in India are committing suicide by the thousands because of this Mansanto garbage.  Because of the seed patents, Monsanto is able to sell Bt-cotton seed 1000 times higher than normal prices.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html.

Never before have I understood the meaning of revolution more clearly.  

We also need a water revolution!  Water issues had entered my consciousness from living in the desert and seeing the absolute waste of water on frickin' golf course in places like Phoenix.  The one place on the planet that should not be allowed to have the most golf courses in the world is Phoenix, AZ, but that's the reality.  I felt paralyzed by my awareness of water waste and not knowing what to do about it other than taking shorter showers.  

Now I know a community of people, like Becky and Jenny, who go to the Rebuilding Center on Mississippi and build a water catchment system for their gardens.  That inspires me.    

Even though I had heard about soil depletion, I had no idea how to build soil back up.  Now I'm sheet mulching and cultivating my own soil in my front yard.  The more the issues facing our time are revealed to me, the more I realize how much more I need to learn.  The more questions raised, the more answers sought.  Sounds pretty straight forward, but without honoring the process and reflecting on the progress made from where I started, this daunting task ahead could get to be a bit depressing.  By taking a moment to reflect on lessons learned and mistakes made.  The more strength I gain to learn more and strive toward fearlessness in the face of making more mistakes.  Maybe our world is in the process of learning from our mistakes.  Let's hope and grow together.

Biomimicry and "necessary products and services"

As I’ve been reading the book Cradle to Cradle I’ve been both simultaneously inspired and frustrated. I’ve been inspired by many of the ideas put forth in the book, but frustrated by how little action I see in making these ideas a reality. Obviously there are tons of great ideas out there and I don’t expect everyone to follow the ideas outlined in one book. However, my frustration surfaces because the degradation of our natural world is not one person’s idea, but is instead, at this point, a pretty well known phenomenon. Thus, while I don’t expect to see every idea in this book acted upon, I do want to see the underlying inspiration for these ideas (finding ways of doing things that enhance the vitality natural systems) gain greater acceptance. While I believe in permaculture as a way to restore natural systems and simultaneously produce food, I believe there are many other things that permaculture isn’t capable of providing for us. For example, living in the Northwest and fiddling with our permaculture gardens round the year, it can be expected that we will get cold and wet from time to time (or nearly all the time). As such, it’s nice to have a well-made raincoat to keep me dry. I suppose there are some oils that I could extract from plants that could serve this function, but I think it’s also reasonable to assume that there are ways of making things that will not destroy the earth. Currently however, my options are limited. While the outdoor gear company’s raincoat does a great job of keeping me dry, it simultaneously pollutes and destroys our environment. My other option, the oils extracted from plants and animals is (I’m sure) totally time consuming and beyond my understanding. Thus, in a more sustainable future it makes sense that we will retain some degree of specialization. And that’s where biomimicry comes in. How cool would it be if you could trade some food from your permaculture garden for a compostable raincoat that repels water not with chemicals, but instead with the power of design? As I was thinking about how the “lotus effect” is currently being utilized I began thinking how great it would be for raincoats. However, raincoats are just one example of what I’m going to call “necessary products.” There are many other “necessary products” as well as “necessary services” that aren’t essential to our lives, but they certainly make things easier and more enjoyable. However, because of the destructive way we produce things in this country and around the world, we are often made to feel guilty for wanting these products and services. Instead of imagining a future without these products and services, we should instead imagine a future in which we can have these things (I’m not talking about extravagances such as margarita machines, but useful products) while simultaneously encouraging natural systems. I believe biomimicry is a fantastic way to achieve this goal and I’m excited to see what development come from this field as we move forward.

Matthew's Post #3

In my first two blogs (which should now be uploaded to the site) I tried to focus on the idea that humans don’t have to be destructive, but instead can be productive. Obviously this is going to require a giant paradigm shift, but it’s possible. In fact, the more we believe and begin acting as if this is true, the more likely it is to happen. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about limiting our destruction. As McDonough and Braungart (2002) suggest, “the key is not to make human industries and systems smaller, as efficiency advocates propound, but to design them to get bigger and better in a way that replenishes, restores, and nourishes the rest of the world” (p. 78). So, what I’m talking about is encouraging humans to be good as opposed to less bad. Permaculture is one way to be good; it allows for us to design systems that restore and replenish. So, by practicing permaculture we can begin shifting our mindset towards creating systems of abundance for all life. However, I’m curious to what degree our involvement in other systems is perpetuating human destructiveness.

For example, I have considered myself a liberal for many years, but is being a liberal and voting democrat really doing anything good? Isn’t the liberal agenda, by regulating and allowing government control, merely reducing how destructive humans are? Does voting along liberal lines really incentivize doing good? Obviously there are some good things that come with a liberal viewpoint. For example, I completely agree with the liberal social agenda and its focus on individual freedom. In the long run though, does this priority outdo the continuation of destructive systems? Is it time for a new party, one focused on incentivizing the human potential for good? What about our food systems? Obviously environmentalists like to promote organic food, I certainly try and eat entirely organic. However, if this organic food is still raised in a monoculture and trucked in from California and Mexico, are we really supporting good or are we just being less bad? What about going to work? If we’re not working towards creating nourishing and replenishing systems is it worth going to work? Where do we draw the line? How can we help support one another in not just being less bad, but being more good? Permaculture is one idea, but it’s not the only idea. How can we support other systems of abundance so that we can begin mimicking ecological complexity with many overlapping systems of abundance? I don’t have the answers, just the questions. My hope is that together we can start generating soutions.

Matthew's Post #2 (Again, Finally!)

In my previous response paper I focused on the idea that it’s important to have
hope. As a basis for this idea I cited the fact that the biomass of all the ants in the world
is much greater than that of humans. Thus, I argued that maybe we shouldn’t concern
ourselves so much with unchecked population growth, but instead with the actions of a
given population. Today I believe this idea more than ever (and now I know why). I’m
currently sitting at the Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium having just
experienced an amazingly inspirational lecture from my mycological hero Paul Stamets.
For those of you unfamiliar with Paul Stamets, he is the author of the book Mycelium
Running, which is an incredible introduction to the wonders of fungi. For the remainder
of this response (blog) I’d like to share some of the ideas Stamets discussed.
First things first, what on earth do ants have to do with mushrooms? Well, there
are four species on Earth that cultivate fungi. Ants and humans comprise two of the
four species (termites and bark beetles are the other two). So, even though the
combined biomass of ants on Earth is rather ridiculous, they remain an integral part of
our ecosystems precisely because of their intimate connection with fungi. What I (re)-
learned today is that the population of humans can potentially become as ecologically
productive and beneficial as ants if we begin to cultivate fungi in ways that we now
know are possible.

First, a little background about fungi. Fungi have been known to act as a
mothering influence in ecosystems by transferring nutrients from trees in favorable
conditions to trees in less favorable conditions. The idea here is that the fungi will
benefit from an optimally functioning ecosystem as they will have more food. Although
this sounds a bit far out, like maybe the fungi have intelligence, that’s because they do.
Stamets first cited a study in which slime molds were able to learn the quickest way
through a maze. He then mentioned who a similar slime mold was able to redesign the
Tokyo subway system by finding the quickest routes between stations. The way these
slime molds do this is what’s really amazing. The slime molds spread out in a
branching pattern as they search for food. The fungi then sends out nuclei through all
the branches that then respond to the terminal conditions. If there’s food then they’ll
stay, but if not, they will find alternative destinations. Ultimately, through communication
between these different branches, the fungi will reshape itself so that is efficient as
possible.

So, that’s definitely cool, but what does that have to do with humans not messing up
the world? Well, as we realize how amazing fungi really are, we’re now starting to use
fungi in new and incredible ways. For example, we’re starting to use oyster mushrooms
as a method for breaking down hydrocarbons in contaminated sites. Not only do these
mushrooms break down the toxic material, but after they’re finished they die back
and provide food for insects. These insects then provide food for birds who further
complement the process by dispersing seeds. Thus, fungi not only break down toxic
material, but they also recreate ecosystems.

Another way we’re starting to use fungi is by inoculating burlap sacks of wood-
chips with oyster mushrooms and then placing them in runoff swales. The result of this
process is a dramatic reduction of fecal-coliform. Turkey tail mushrooms are also able
to neutralize mercury while other types of fungi are known to live on radioactive waste.
Long story short, if humans begin working with fungi to manage the world around us, we
will be much more successful in surviving over the long haul.