Green Fresno

Connect. Share. Discuss. Live a sustainable life.

Adding to the compost

Another day, another banana peel. some coffee grounds--WOW! Those are huge roses! Are they from your garden? Yes, I smile smugly, they are. It's so contrary to our materialistic society to throw my garbage out in back (like my grandparents did in olden days, only theirs was for the pigs), and expect something back in return. I think it helps remind me, especially when I don't want to go all the way out back when its raining and the garbage can is right there next to the kitchen in the garage. . . oh, well, I guess I can go out and turn over the compost pile. And see the progress made. Then look into a future bright with flowers and herbs and green in my garden. Ah. . . so green. A very welcome green in our central valley heat.

My life is a compost pile, I recall, and while I am constantly digging for treasures, letting the worms do their work, make all that is old new again, I should be grateful for all that was put in this pile long ago, and all that is heaped here in my memories and imaginations, and dreams. We are the layers of our lives, working in the darkness to bring life.

Tags: compost, garbage, life, roses

Comment by Tom Cotter on May 1, 2010 at 8:33am: I like this. Thanks Mary.

Comment by Renel Ralston on May 9, 2010 at 2:00pm: Hi Mary- do you know of any vermiculture or composting classes available in Clovis/Fresno?

Comment by Fallon Pratt on May 9, 2010 at 10:53pm: Hi Renel, I don't currently have any vemiculture workshops scheduled in Fresno until July but I do sell worms, bins and other vermiculture "accessories" and I'm always willing to discuss the process and offer free workshops if you have a gardening club or neghborhood group that would like a presentation. Feel free to come check out my booth at the Riverpark Farmers market on Tuesday night or the Kaiser Hospital Farmers market Wednesday Mornings. You (or anyone else whose interested) can contact me at Fallon@urban-worms.com or 559-908-6117

Comment by Renel Ralston on May 10, 2010 at 10:17am: Thanks Fallon~ I am very interested in a workshop. I have an interest in vermiculture mostly because our yard is REALLY small. We are vegetarian and I hate just throwing all those scraps away. My concern is the temperature in Fresno. Even if we kept a worm bin on the shady side of the house, you know how hot it gets in Fresno, WAY above 80 degrees. I am not sure bringing the worm bin inside would be an option, especially for my husband. Hmmm Air-conditioned worm bin? Tiny fans and misters? haha

Comment by Fallon Pratt on May 10, 2010 at 1:41pm: Hi Renel,
The temperature in Fresno is a concern but its not as big of a problem as you might think. We usually take frozen bottles of water and put them in the top of the worm bin system on days when its really hot. If you use a 2 liter bottle it'll stay frozen for a few days and cool the system down. Remember it's not necessarily the temperature outside as much as the temperature in the bin. If you use a soil thermometer (some of the systems come with them or you can get it at a pet shop) you can watch the inside temp of the bin and when it starts to get above 85 not the outside temperature then you have to cool the systems down. Having the system in the house actually isn't as big of a deal as you might think. My boyfriend was not keen on the idea but once I had it inside he doesn't even notice it. The systems are odorless and the worms never try to leave the bin =). If you have time really consider swinging by a farmers market and I can go over the systems with you and your husband to address his wormy concerns. =)

Comment