As you learn the basics of composting 101, you’ll come across the topic of coffee composting. Coffee compost has turned into a hot topic issue with the expansion of cafes throughout the United States. Without a doubt, the Starbucks sensation has witnessed the international output of coffee beans reaching an astonishing 7.6 million tons annually! That can produce a large amount of coffee compost that could normally be squandered.

Used coffee bean grounds are a fantastic supplement to your garden compost bin for the subsequent good reasons:

• Used beans cost absolutely nothing.
• They are able to provide your own compost pile with a better odor.
• They’ve got exceptional water-absorptive qualities.
• They are rich in nitrogen, in contrast to troublesome manure.
• You receive accessibility all year round both in cities as well as surrounding suburbs.
• Storage is easier and you are able to store for a few days (simply take out the ziplock bag!).
• The grounds may be collected in massive quantities.

Coffee compost can also be advantageous for the natural environment. At 7.6 million tons, coffee composting can save an incredible quantity of the planet’s trash dumps!

Furthermore, coffee composting can give food to earthworms which fill a compost pile helping them flourish sufficiently to affect decomposition rates within a substantial way. Research indicates that garden compost worms which were given used argument generate higher quality fertilizer as compared to their particular counterparts which feast upon only various other components. Used coffee bean grounds may also be used for vermiculture because earthworms take to them!

For the very best outcomes, make use of the used coffee grounds shortly after you acquire or use them. In the event you wait around for too long, they could turn bad and entice the aggravating fruit fly!

Coffee Compost Information

Were you aware that, in a questionnaire, more and more people were discovered to have utilized grounds for composting instead of from consuming espresso? The survey documented an impact of 6% between the 2 uses.

Were you aware that coffee compost is among the most widely used techniques wherein individuals reliably dispose/recycle waste materials produced by other people? Most coffee composters within the aforementioned questionnaire weren’t regular coffee lovers, but got the grounds from family members, nearby neighbors, and also the workplace.

Right now the most common utilization of used argument is as coffee garden compost in piles and worm-bins? Coffee composters numbered less than 90% of those interviewed. Less than 30% used coffee grounds for mulch, while 10% used it straight beneath their top soil. A few additionally employed the coffee grounds for houseplants.

Coffee compost, with the pure amount of accessible no cost substances, is among the most sensible as well as environment-friendly recycling operations you may participate in!

There are many reasons to choose wood burning as your main source of heat these days. A few of the main reasons being that it is environmentally beneficial and it can be a more economical way to heat your home. In this article, we will discuss some tips and resource suggestions for preparing your wood pile.

There are many great tools on the market to help you get started with establishing your wood pile to heat your home. One such tool is the Mantis electric log splitter. Right away this will save you money on a rental or the option of purchasing large amounts of wood to heat your home.

Not only is heating your home with firewood economical and environmentally sound, having a fire in your fireplace can be very soothing to your spirit and home in general. There is nothing like the sound of wood crackling in the fireplace as you go about your morning.

Here are some tips for gathering your source of fuel and the best uses of your electric log splitter.

Be sure to cut your wood to an appropriate length for your fireplace or stove. You will want to measure to be sure that it is at least 3-4 inches shorter than the width of where you will be placing it.

Be sure to work on your splitting technique as wood that is split too big does not burn very well. You should work to have a variety of sizes ranging from 3-6 inches in diameter for the best burning results. You will want to measure or eyeball the pieces of wood at the largest cross section of the log. Wood cut for a furnace can be just a bit larger than for a stove or fireplace. It is great to also have some kindling or smaller pieces of wood available as this is the best to use for getting your fire started.

For effective burning to take place, wood cannot be wet and needs to have the moisture removed from it that it will naturally contain. This does require some planning ahead with your wood purchase, splitting and drying process. The best way to remove the water content from the logs is a natural way by letting the wind and sun dry them outside. Create your wood pile in a place where it can be warmed by the sunshine, yet the wind is able to blow through it at the same time.

It actually can take about 6 months for this drying process if you want to be sure that all the moisture has been removed from the logs. For this reason, you will want to start this endeavor in the early spring to be sure that you have your wood prepared for the next winter cold season. Keep in mind though that this depends largely on where you live. Some climates and the types of wood that you find there may take longer to dry so you will want to take this into consideration.

Now it’s time to fire up the Mantis Electric Log Splitter, or your tool of choice, and get to stacking that great wood pile. Winter will be here again before you know it and you’ll be sitting pretty by that very nice and soothing fireplace knowing that you are saving money and the environment in your choice to heat your home with wood.

The compost tumbler has become very popular for several reasons, especially among people who may not live in the country and need an easy way to contain compost for their smaller scale gardening needs. In this article, we will cover some specific benefits of using a compost barrel and discuss the popular Compost Twin by Mantis as a very good choice when it comes to this essential piece of equipment.

A compost tumbler is a much neater solution than having a hole in the ground, a homemade container or a compost pile in the backyard. Often neighbors may complain of odors or how your compost pile looks and this solution completely does away with that. Some cities do have regulations and laws about what you can and can not have in regards to a compost pile and a good compost barrel tumbler typically would meet any requirements.

Compost tumblers come in a wide assortment of colors and designs and usually they simply resemble an interesting looking turning trash receptacle. This definitely does away with the unsightly appearance that may come to mind when you think of composting.

A bin composter, such as the Mantis Compost Twin, is very practical because its properties allow for very fast results when it comes to producing compost from the waste that you place inside.  The dual chamber design of this particular model allows for nearly constant use of compost. One side can be in a cooking mode, while you continue to dump your kitchen scraps and other organic garbage into the other barrel.

Simply turn the tumbler a few times with the easy to use handle, and the composting is happening right before your eyes. With a traditional compost bin, you would have to wait months for your compost because you would constantly be adding new waste to the pile, or you would have to start a new pile. With this unique design, you always have one chamber available for your waste, alleviating the waiting game.

The spinning action of the tumbler helps to speed up the decomposition process of the waste material whenever new scraps are added. This also aids in the aeration process bringing the oxygen to the waste to help in breaking it down into great compost. The tumbling motion also helps to spin and open the barrel to allow you to be able to transfer the completed compost to a pail to use as fertilizer for your garden.

Using a covered compost tumbler reduces the attractiveness to rats, pets and other wild animals. You no longer will need to worry about them getting into the compost and creating even more of a mess. This can be a huge source of frustration with typical compost piles that need to be heavily monitored for this sort of thing.

The covered Compost Twin will also eliminate normal odor issues that can occur and the covered barrel also keeps the compost protected from the heat of summer, while easily maintaining the moisture levels that it needs within the tumbler. Likewise, when you get rain your compost will not become drenched and soggy. Yuck!

Finally, the compost tumbler is just more fun and much less labor intensive than the old shovel and backyard pit!

If you are an avid gardener, you have probably considered the idea of purchasing a backyard greenhouse to expand your current gardening capabilities. This would be particularly useful if you live in a part of the country that has a colder climate or winter season which is obviously not ideal or conducive to growing your favorite plants, flowers and vegetables.

There are many reasons why someone may considering putting up a greenhouse and for sure you should look at the Rion 6×8 Silver Backyard Hobby Greenhouse as it is a perfect model for the beginner because of its cost, which is relatively inexpensive compared to other greenhouses, size and ease of construction.

Do you want to be able to grow your favorite plants all year? If gardening it an important hobby for you then I’m sure that this idea is appealing. Why give up your hobby during certain times of the year when you can nurture it and your planting throughout the whole year in your backyard greenhouse. You would also be able to explore different types of plants and flowers that bloom during times other than the typical season for growth in your climate.

Another great reason why people choose to begin greenhouse gardening is so that they can increase the life span of plants in order to create new seeds for the growing season coming up. This will allow you to have more control over your plants and flowers and you’ll be able to have a better projection regarding the next planing season and all of the new seeds that you will have to plant then.

Perhaps you really enjoy a specific type of produce that you cannot easily get at your supermarket year round. At least not a quality product for a reasonable price when it is the winter season. Why not grow these fruits and vegetables yourself in your own Rion hobby greenhouse or a similar unit of your choice right in your backyard?

Once you’ve made the choice to include a greenhouse in your gardening arsenal, you will want to start planning and researching the options that are available to you. You will need to decide things such as the size of the greenhouse which of course is partly determined by the amount of space that you have available in your backyard. Also be sure to research the different types of construction and materials used, such as metal or wood for example.

Think about the items that you might need inside of the greenhouse as well. These might include such things as large work surface areas and tables, countertops with or without sinks or perhaps you would even want to install multiple sinks throughout the workspace. You will also want to consider location and access to the greenhouse, especially if you live somewhere that gets snow during the winter season.

Whether you choose to order the Rion 6×8 Silver Backyard Hobby Greenhouse mentioned in this article or another unit for your backyard, we hope that you will not delay. This can be such a satisfying way to spend the off season months of gardening and we believe that there is no reason that you should not enjoy your hobby all year long.

In this article we’re going to be covering composting 101, or the basics of what it takes to get started with composting if you are completely new to the idea. If you’re reading about compost, chances are that you are an avid gardener and you’re looking to be efficient and environmentally friendly with your gardening efforts. Composting can help you to do both of those things.

To begin, what is composting? Compost is simply decomposed living, or organic material that has been processed naturally into a very rich type of soil. When a person sets out to actively compost, there are ways that you can speed up the process that normally would take longer if left up to nature alone.

There are a few different methods that one can use to get started with composting. You can choose among worm composting, backyard composting or using some type of bin or barrel for your composting efforts to name a few of the main varieties.

Worm composting is also called vermicomposting. This can be quite easy to maintain once you have your regular supply of red earthworms. You would set up your worm container and then basically feed your organic scraps to the worms which eat the waste and then produce a compost that is odorless. The worms will produce compost that is very rich in nutrients for your garden.

Backyard composting basically occurs when you start your own compost pile in the yard. The easiest way to begin with this is by using leaves, straw and grass. You will most likely not want to include organic food using this method as you won’t want your backyard pile to give off an odor that will be bothersome for your family or the neighbors.

Many people will choose to purchase some type of container to hold their compost. This might be a bigger compost tumbler or a type of compost bin. One of the easiest ways to get started is to build your own compost bin with a large tin can. Simply puncture the can at regular intervals throughout. Cut out the bottom of the can and wet the soil where you will be placing this compost bin. Place the tin can over the wet soil and then begin to place your organic scraps into the tin can. Over time your material will decay and then you will have compost.

Be aware that using the tin can compost bin method can be an issue when it comes to pests and small animals. They will most likely be drawn to the food scraps and for this reason, many people will invest in an enclosed compost bin or tumbler of some sort. The compost tumbler model has even become popular among people living in the city as it can be an easy and odorless way to enjoy the benefits of composting without having a big yard. Basically using a compost tumbler insures that all of your scraps and organic material is completely covered at all times. Tumblers also take up less space and actually result in faster decomposition.

Choose the system of composting that makes the most sense for you to be able to get started quickly and easily.

Is a composting toilet right for you?

There are many eco friendly companies that can be found online today. One example of a great company interested in advancing sound environmental sanitation ideas and products is Envirolet®. They produce some of the highest quality composting toilets that are used in many households today.

What is a compost toilet?

In contrast to septic systems which utilize anaerobic decomposition, a compost toilet is aerobic. This means that the system relies on oxygen alone for the composition of the waste material. In general, the innovative toilets are low flush if they use water at all. Some are completely waterless which as you can imagine will save a lot of money long term. For the person who is into gardening and has a need for compost or fertilizer, this can be a very reliable and environmentally perfect option.

There are many benefits to using the Envirolet® waterless toilet or some other type of composting toilet system.

1. As people become more environmentally conscious, more communities throughout the U.S. are making it beneficial for people that compost and do other things that help with issues regarding the environment of the surrounding area. Some cities today may offer a rebate to owners of composting toilets for sewer charges that the household is obviously no longer incurring.

2. As noted above, the use of such a low flush or waterless system can greatly reduce your household water costs. In today’s economy, every penny in our budget counts, so this savings can be very noticeable especially to larger households.

3. Using such a system will definitely be promoting a positive impact on the environment. If more people would get on board with this idea, it would greatly reduce water contamination and water usage in general. This is a great thing to consider when we think about how our current actions affect our children and grandchildren years down the road. We must consider the implications of everything that we do today that does affect the world of which we live.

4. For the gardener and someone that is interested in organic living, this can be almost a perfect system. The valuable compost that you will be creating can greatly enhance your garden produce and save money on fertilizer costs. Most toilets that are composting in nature, allow for any food items or things that are organic to be placed into the toilet. This means that you would also no longer have the need for a separate compost bin in the household so that can be a savings of money and time as well.

Recently, I had the great opportunity to spend a few months in Dublin, Ireland. I was amazed at the wonderful system that is in place there for making it easy for household to be environmentally friendly. Many homes keep a small green bin for organic material in their kitchens. The meal time clean-up includes making use of this bin and almost nothing food related goes into the actual trash can. The community then collects the material from these small bins and households on a regular basis. I loved this and hope that more cities and particularly places in the U.S. would be quick to get on board with this idea.

If you are a current composter, please do consider the Envirolet® toilet as an option for your household. This could add a whole new dimension to how you compost and look at the eco friendly impact that you are having on the environment.

The Compost Twin bin composter is a very unique compost tumbler with its design and utility!

With this compost tumbler, you will have:

1. A constant supply of compost
2. A unique 2-chamber system
3. A tumbler that is VERY easy to load and unload

Click here to get started with your order today!

Some of the many reasons that the Compost Twin is SO popular:

• NO mess – the bin composter design keeps everything contained in the tumbler
• NO smells for the neighbors to complain about
• NO unsightly piles or mess of compost in the backyard
• holds 25 cubic ft of raw material - 10 bushels in each chamber!
• pets, rodents and other wildlife are kept away because bin contents are fully enclosed
• 2 10-bushel capacity bins – only composter of this kind!
• there are 2 aerator vents on each chamber that allow important oxygen into your mix
• vented end caps allow for proper drainage and even air flow
• bin contents are more secure and there is less stress on individual latches because there are 2 latches on each door of the barrel
• 32 inch height of the bin is very convenient for easy loading and unloading
• rotating the bins and mixing the compost is easy! simply turn the handle and gear mechanism makes it easy to turn even a fully loaded drum
• incorporates “fins” inside the drum that help to mix material as the composting bins are turned
• compost cooks in one barrel, while allowing you to throw additional kitchen scraps and waste into the other – no more waiting involved!
• easy to remove finished compost
• the compost bins consists of a tubular steel frame and galvanized metal which is so durable and sturdy that this bin composter will last for years!
• size: 65″ wide x 66″ high and 41″ deep
• warranty includes 2 yrs for parts and workmanship

Click here to purchase today!

Get started composting today with your own compost tumbler!

The Rion 6×8 Silver Backyard Greenhouse is the perfect solution for someone starting out with their backyard greenhouse.

Already know that this is the one for you?

Click here to get started with your own greenhouse today!

If you are an avid gardener, you’ve probably considered buying a greenhouse for any number of reasons. Here is a sample list of a few of the many benefits to owning a greenhouse…

• You are able to garden all year – no need to wait for good weather permitting to grow your new plants and flowers.
• You have more options as to the kinds of plants you can work with. The sky is the limit!
• Extend the growing season of your plants and vegetables.
• Able to get more into your organic vegetable gardening – saving money on buying produce at the stores.
• It’s a very pleasant atmosphere for gardening year round.

There are many reasons why you might be choosing to put up your own greenhouse and the Rion hobby greenhouse is really one of the best for its price. Here are the specifications:

• Product Dimensions: 96 x 72 x 84.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 112 lbs
• the 6×8 dimensions are perfect for the home gardener
• Sliding doors are used for easy entry into the greenhouse and they provide great ventilation
• The Apex roof design gives you plenty of room to walk around freely
• The greenhouse has 100% UV protection. This protect both you and the plans from harmful UV sunlight
• Has rust resistant galvanized steel base aluminum frame so it is protected from rain and bad weather.
• Built of a polycarbonate layer which is clear like glass and is virtually unbreakable
• Not difficult to assemble

Click here to purchase your backyard greenhouse today!

Get started gardening all year!

There are many benefits to owning and using a composting toilet, and in this article we are going to look at the benefits of choosing the Envirolet® composting toilet.

Click here to get started!

Firstly, let’s cover some basics…

What is a composting toilet system?

It is a system that is aerobic in nature, meaning it uses oxygen alone for its process as opposed to the typical septic tank usage which uses anaerobic decomposition. These systems are typically waterless or they would use very little water for the flushing mechanism. The excreta or toilet wast is able to be reused as valuable compost.

Advantages to using a composting toilet:

• reduced water costs
• some cities offer rebates for community sewer charges
• the system creates valuable compost that you can then use
• it can be much better for the environment in the long run because it reduces water usage and water contamination
• you can put anything organic (food items) into the toilet making it an easy compost solution for the household

Do they smell?

Assuming that you system is set up correctly, there should not be any odor and in fact they can be less smelly than regular septic systems. It is possible to rig a do-it-yourself toilet, but there are great toilets on the market today. Of course there is a cost up front to purchasing such a system, but long term you will save money because your sewage costs completely go away, you will have greatly reduced water usage and you are left with a valuable nutrient rich compost to use in your garden. Now let’s look a specific toilet recommendation that is very popular among eco friendly toilets.

Envirolet® DC12 Waterless Composting Toilet System

• waterless self-contained toilet
• dual 12VDC fans
• powered by a 12V Battery (not included) and 4″ Wind Turbine (included)
• product dimensions: 33 x 25 x 25 inches
• product weight: 85 pounds (shipping weight is 94 pounds)
• ideal for home, business, cottage or cabin
• empty as little as once a year
• sanitary, clean and odor-free
• lifetime warranty on HDPE body

Enjoy!

Click here to purchase today!

Composting 101 – Learning the basics of composting will save you money when it comes to your fertilizing budget. In fact, you can spend zero dollars to make your own garden produce more plentiful and healthier. You will be using your own kitchen waste to make your soil healthier and the environment better just by practicing some basic composting tips.

Here are some important things to consider about composting:

Environmental Impact
Americans are starting to recognize that we are leaving a legacy of overflowing landfills and contaminated waters to our children and grandchildren. That is why experts predict that within the next decade, composting will be as widespread as recycling cans in households and industries across the United States. Many countries are already actively participating in this endeavor.

Do you know that the kitchen and yard waste of American households makes up 30% of the nation’s total waste? Our environment choices have grown so limited that more and more states have been legislating measures to reduce waste that ends up in public landfills. If we were all to practice basic composting we could cut close to a third of the volume that ends up in our shrinking landfills.

In part, we should compost because pretty soon, we could have no choice.

Practicality
It just doesn’t make sense to spend on fertilizer when you regularly throw away material that you can use as a better substitute! Using compost is one of the best things you can do for your soil to improve it’s texture, composition, aeration (especially for clayey soil), and water-bearing qualities (particularly for sandy soil).

Even basic composting can improve fertility and plant health many times over. Your garden’s health depends on its soil’s microorganisms, which composting feeds in a natural way. Composting can help you completely do away with commercial plant fertilizers.

How to Start
You can dig a hole in the ground, build a square mesh-enclosure with stakes, or use a barrel or garbage can to pile up compost.

Start with plant waste, twigs, and dried, dead weeds. You can use vegetable and fruit scraps from your kitchen, but alternate dry and wet material and soil, lightly tamping down three-inch layers each time. Speed up decomposition by using farm manure; but never use cat or dog manure.

A good rule of thumb would be: 3 parts brown to 1 part green ingredients. Then, you need to water each layer – lightly if in wet weather, thoroughly if in dry. Turn the pile every couple of weeks.

Do not put processed food scraps in your compost pile; neither should you use any meat, fat, or dairy products (apart from crushed eggshells). Bread is fine, unless it has peanut butter or mayonnaise.

After a couple of months, you can start using your compost – sooner if you can no longer distinguish the ingredients in the dark substance.

Basic composting will reap you such immediate, cost-efficient benefits that you’ll wonder why you’ve never tried it before!