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Compost
Plant: Azalea
Term: Compost/Composting
Azalea
• Flowering deciduous or evergreen shrub• Hardiness Zone: 6-9• Exposure: Full sun to Part shade• Mature Size: Varies by variety 4 -10’• Bloom: Varies, April – May • Prefer acidic soils• Spring landscape staple – low
maintenance & high performance• Reproduce easily by cuttings/layering
Composting
• The purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food waste
Composting• Do’s• Animal manure • Cardboard rolls • Clean paper • Coffee grounds and filters • Cotton rags • Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint • Eggshells • Fireplace ashes • Fruits and vegetables • Grass clippings • Hair and fur • Hay and straw • Houseplants • Leaves • Nut shells • Sawdust • Shredded newspaper • Tea bags • Wood chips • Wool rags • Yard trimmings
• Don’ts
• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Coal or charcoal ash• Dairy products • Diseased or insect-ridden
plants • Fats, grease, lard, or oils• Meat or fish bones and scraps• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat
feces, soiled cat litter)• Yard trimmings treated with
chemical pesticides
Passive or Cold
• No special requirements
• Pile it up and let it sit
• Add more material at any time
• Takes 6 mos – 1 year
Active or Hot Compost
• Fast or "active" composting can be completed in two to six weeks.
• This method requires three key activities– 1) "aeration," by turning the compost pile, – 2) moisture– 3) the proper carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio
• Raise the temperature to around 130 -140
Steps to hot compost• Build the pile
– Layer brown & green – chopped up is best– Don’t add anything after it is built– Store until you have enough
• Turn every 3-5 days– Or when temp drops below 120
• 4-5 weeks in summer• 6-8 weeks in fall• ? In winter
Today
• Move manure to the compost pile
• Mix with greenhouse & FD greens
• Need volunteer to take bucket to cafeteria for lunch every day
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