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